Boston was the first team to hit two grand slams during a postseason match. Martinez and Devers connected in the first two innings in a 9-5 victory over the Astros that tied their AL Championship Series at one.
Game 3 will be played in Boston on Monday night. This is the Red Sox’s first of three home games, and they are back in the playoffs after winning the 2018 World Series.
Martinez scored 4-0 when he hit an opposite-field shot against Luis Garcia, a rookie with the Astros. Garcia struck with two outs in his first. The four-time All-Star made it his first playoff slam in his career, having started his career with the Astros.
Martinez stated, “That’s the situation, the pressure on him, it is not on me to get through there.” It’s the first pitch. He has bases loaded. I try to be relaxed, and I just want to find a pitch to put a barrel on it.
After walking the first batter in the second inning, Garcia was left with right knee discomfort. Jake Odorizzi was called to the plate and Devers scored with one out, after a delay of 13 minutes while Odorizzi warmed up. 2.
Red-hot teammate Kike Hernandez stated that J.D.’s swing was enormous to get us on board early and Raffy the same thing. “Has this ever happened before?”
It is now.
After his two-run performance in Game 1 on Friday, Alex Cora, Boston manager, referred to Hernandez as “en fuego”, and he was still firing Saturday. He had two hits, including a solo homer during the fourth inning.
Hernandez was the postseason’s most popular hitter. He led all players with 16 hits and five homers, as well as four doubles. These nine extra-base hits, which are the most in this playoffs, tie a Red Sox postseason records with Mike Lowell (2007) Kevin Youkilis (2006) and David Ortiz (2004) & 2007. He also shares the record for the most homers in Red Sox history with Ortiz (2004-2013) and Todd Walker (2003).
Hernandez stated, “The importance and value of the game allows me to stay focused on the game and stay locked in,”
Red Sox pitcher Nathan Eovaldi allowed five hits and three runs over 5 1/3 innings.
The Astros won the series opener 5-4. They rallied behind Carlos Correa and Jose Altuve to win, before getting into a huge hole in the second.
Cora stated, “That’s an extremely tough team.” “They’re always swinging away from the game, so it’s not easy to be comfortable with them.”
Houston scored an RBI double by Kyle Tucker in the fourth to bring the Red Sox within 9 runs. The Astros cut their lead to 9-3 after Yuli Gurriel scored two runs with a single to right field.
Jason Castro and Gurriel added solo homers to the ninth against Darwinzon Hernandez, before Ryan Brasier took the final out.
Hernandez stated, “At the final, it was a bit too close for comfort but we got it done.”
Dusty Baker, manager, isn’t certain how long Garcia will be gone. However, he stated that he had been dealing with the issue “on-and-off” but hadn’t told anyone.
Baker stated, “It wasn’t bothering him enough to not pitch,” “We’ll make a decision in a few days.”
Garcia’s injury is yet another setback for a Houston team that hopes to reach the World Series for the third time in three years. After Lance McCullers Jr.’s injury, the Astros are already in deep trouble.
They won the 2017 championship despite being tainted in the sign-stealing scandal.
Baker stated that McCullers was out and that the team would have to “hit more” in order to absorb the loss. This lineup is now even more vulnerable than ever as it faces a Boston team whose offense has surpassed all others this postseason.
What is he trying to get from his offense?
He chuckled and shook his head. “You don’t have many options, so we have to do more.” That’s it.
After a disappointing season in Houston, Odorizzi was removed from the Division Series roster. He had been able to get a spot in the next round due to McCullers’ injury. In four innings, he allowed seven runs and four hits in the loss. This is not good news for a team with a shortage of starters.
Altuve and Michael Brantley are the Houston’s top hitters, going 2 for 17 with a hit each.
Odorizzi was taken by surprise when he was thrown into the game. He hadn’t even stretched before he was called up to the mound.
He said, “It felt like forever for you guys, but it was the fastest that I could warm up.” It usually takes me 30-plus mins.”
Cora was asked by Cora if the long delay had affected his team’s focus.
Cora stated, “It didn’t really matter if there was an hour delay or not.” “We were locked up.”
The day off Sunday is before Jose Urquidy, Houston’s first postseason starter, makes his debut in Game 3 on Monday. Although the Red Sox have not yet named their starter, they should have Nick Pivetta or Eduardo Rodriguez available to them after both were unavailable in the first two games.
