Things were looking really bleak
in the 8th inning of Game 2 of the ALCS. The Tigers were rolling with a 5-1 lead and
had 2 outs with David Ortiz up and the bases loaded. We’ve seen a lot of magic this year and these
Red Sox again came back and got a huge win.
David Ortiz deposited the ball
into the bullpen for a game tying grand slam that nearly brought Fenway Park
down. Then in the bottom of the ninth,
Jarrod Saltalamacchia won it with a walk-off single, 6-5, and the momentum
shift before heading off to Detroit for Game 3.
Before getting to the walk-off
magic at Fenway Park, the Red Sox’s offense was absolutely terrible. They had produced just one hit, yes, just one
hit, in the first 14 innings of the series.
They trailed the Tigers, 5-0,
heading into the bottom of the 6th and seemed all but destined for a
0-2 series deficit heading back to Detroit.
However, in the bottom of the 6th, the Sox got their 2nd
hit of the series with a single by Shane Victorino. Dustin Pedroia then doubled him home for
their 1st run of the series.
The would finally string some
hits together in a big way in the bottom of the 8th. After a leadoff ground-out by Drew, Will
Middlebrooks doubled and Jacoby Ellsbury walked. Shane Victorino struck out and things again
looked bleak as they had 2 outs. Dustin
Pedroia then singled to load the bases and Tigers manager Jim Leyland brought
in his closer Joaquin Benoit to try and close it out against David Ortiz. Ortiz scorched the first pitch he saw into
the Red Sox bullpen for a grand slam.
Tiger’s right-fielder, Torii Hunter, nearly came up with the catch but
tumbled over the wall a mere inches from grabbing the ball. The game was tied and it seemed like a monkey
had been lifted off the Red Sox’s back.
In the bottom of the ninth, Jonny
Gomes led off the inning with a single and advanced to 2nd on an
error by Jose Igleasias at short. A wild
pitch sent Gomes to third and Salty singled past a drawn in infield for the
walk-off win and new life for the Red Sox who will go to Detroit with the
series tied at 1-1.
Let’s really hope this chain of
events brings the offense back. They have
been absolutely horrible so far. In
fact, they are the first team in history to be no-hit for the first 5 innings
in back-to-back postseason games.
They weren’t terrible with
runners in scoring position, going 3 for 5 and leaving only 4 men on base but
they only had 5 opportunities. They need
to start putting the bat on the ball better as they struck out 15 times as a
team, following up their 17 K performance Saturday night.
Dustin Pedroia went 2 for 4 with
a run, double and RBI. Ortiz had 4 RBI
on the grand slam and also walked once.
Gomes, Salty, Victorino and Middlebrooks all had a hit in the win. Victorino was hit by a pitch again, his 5th
this postseason. Ellsbury didn’t get a
hit but walked twice on the night.
They’ll hope to get the offense going
with a change of scenery in Detroit against Justin Verlander, who didn’t allow
a run in 15 innings of the ALDS.
Clay Buchholz didn’t look great
on the rubber for the Sox. He allowed 5
runs on 8 hits in just 5 and 2/3 innings.
He didn’t walk anyone and struck out 6 but seemed to let it get away in
the 6th when he allowed 2 homers and 4 runs. He’ll look to put this one behind him before
his next start which will likely be back at Fenway if need be.
The bullpen was nasty allowing
only 2 walks in 3 and 1/3 innings.
Workman, Doubront and Uehara kept the game close for David Ortiz and
company do work their magic.
The grand slam by Ortiz was the
first postseason grand slam since J.D. Drew’s magic granny in Game 6 of the
ALCS and 4th all time.
Tuesday, the Sox will be in
Detroit against Verlander. Verlander has
been outstanding as of late going 1-0 is the ALDS allowing no runs and only 6
hits while striking out 21 and walking only 2.
He had a up and down season and hopefully the Sox can get to him
tonight.
The Red Sox will counter with John Lackey who got a win in the ALDS but wasn’t great. He allowed 5 runs on 7 hits in 5 and 1/3. Let’s hope Lackey can get it done and give the Sox the 2-1 advantage.
SHAVING CREAM PIE TO THE FACE –
GAME MVP
David Ortiz. Adding to his postseason clutch resume with a
huge game tying grand slam.
ELBOW TO THE FACE – GAME LVP
Mike Carp. Carp got the start at 1st but was
hitless in 3 at bats, striking out twice and grounding into a double play for
the other. Not a good game by him.
PLAY OF THE GAME
The grand salami in the 8th.
NEXT
Tuesday, October 15th. In Detroit vs. the Tigers.
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