The Boston Red Sox became the first team to hit multiple grand slams in one playoff game. And it took them just two innings Saturday in a 9-5 win against the Houston Astros.
J.D. Martinez hit an opposite-field grand slam in the top of the first inning, and Rafael Devers pulled a pitch over the right-field wall five batters into the second as Boston took an 8-0 lead early in Game 2 of the American League Championship Series. Kiké Hernandez added his third home run of the series to help give the Red Sox a series-evening win. Game 3 is Monday in Boston.
The grand slams came off two different pitchers after Astros starter Luis Garcia exited one batter into the second inning, throwing just 33 pitches. The team later said it was a right knee issue for Garcia, who finished the outing with one inning pitched, two strikeouts and five runs charged on two hits. Jake Odorizzi replaced Garcia but allowed singles to Christian Arroyo and Hernandez before Devers’ slam. Hernandez hit his home run off Odorizzi in the fourth inning.
The Astros got on the board in the bottom of the fourth with Kyle Tucker’s two-out RBI double off the left-field wall and Yuli Gurriel’s two-run single to right before Red Sox starter Nathan Eovaldi struck out Chas McCormick to end the rally. Eovaldi went 5 1/3 innings, allowing three runs on five hits with a walk and three strikeouts.
Gurriel and Jason Castro hit solo homers in the bottom of the ninth, but Ryan Brasier came in after Castro’s homer and got Jose Altuve to pop up to left to end the game.
Game 3 is set for Monday at 8:07 p.m. ET.
(Photo: Elsa / Getty Images)
