WATCH: Red Sox blast two grand slams to take Game 2 over Astros
The Red Sox needed only two big, loud swings of the bat to put away the Astros in Game 2.
The 2021 American League Championship Series is tied 1-1, after Boston blasted two grand slams in as many innings and left Houston with a 9-5 win and momentum in the series heading back to Fenway Park. J.D. Martinez set the tone for the evening in the first inning, making Astros starter Luis Garcia pay for allowing a leadoff double to Kyle Schwarber and walking two. Martinez took a fastball on the outer half of the plate to the opposite field for the first of the two grand slams, giving the Sox an early 4-0 lead.
EVERYBODY GET UP IT'S TIME TO SLAM NOW! pic.twitter.com/gsgJhge9f8
— Red Sox (@RedSox) October 16, 2021
After walking Kevin Plawecki to start the second inning, Garcia exited the game and gave way to Jake Odorizzi, who allowed two of the next batters to reach on singles. That’s when Rafael Devers made him pay, ripping the second grand slam to make it 8-0.
Bases juiced, Raffy lets loose! pic.twitter.com/Jk8UTPJFUP
— Red Sox (@RedSox) October 16, 2021
Enrique Hernandez tacked on a third homer, a solo shot. Hernandez is 6-for-9 with three home runs and three RBIs so far in the ALCS.
It's Kiké's world, we're just living in it 🚀 pic.twitter.com/IQmNwoT7lG
— Red Sox (@RedSox) October 16, 2021
The Red Sox ended up needing that second grand slam, as reliever Darwinzon Hernandez allowed home runs to Yuli Gurriel and Jason Castro in the ninth inning to cut the lead to four. Ryan Brasier came in and got Jose Altuve to fly out to left field to end the ballgame.
Boston starter Nathan Eovaldi went 5.1 innings for the Red Sox in Game 2, allowing three runs on five hits and one walk. He struck out three and threw 81 pitches. Adam Ottavino and Garrett Whitlock combined for 2.2 scoreless innings to build Boston’s bridge to the ninth.
The series now shifts to Fenway, where the Red Sox and Astros will resume the series in Game 3 on Monday night. First pitch is scheduled for 8:08 p.m. ET.
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