An eighth-inning grand slam by Jackie Bradley Jr. broke open what had been a close game and propelled the Boston Red Sox to an 8-2 victory over the Houston Astros on Tuesday night.
The win gives the Red Sox a 2-1 lead in the ALCS heading into Wednesday’s Game 4, which will be hosted by Houston.
The Red Sox were aided by a strong start from Nathan Eovaldi, who gave up two runs in six innings to earn a big win on the road.
“We can play at any park,” Eovaldi told reporters after the game. “The first game is always the biggest one of any series when you go on the road.”
Red Sox Break Open Game in Eighth
Boston came into the eighth inning with a 3-2 lead over Houston. The Astros sent closer Roberto Osuna to the mound in an effort to keep the game within reach, and that plan appeared to be working, as he retired two of the first three batters he faced.
But a single by Rafael Devers was followed by Brock Holt being hit by a pitch to load the bases. Osuna then hit Mitch Moreland as well, forcing in a run. Bradley then added four more runs with his decisive grand slam.
“We’re playing a really good team in Houston. Runs are at a premium,” Bradley said after the game. “We never feel like enough runs is going to be enough. So it was very, very special for us.”
Game 4 will see the Red Sox send Rick Porcello (17-7, 4.28 ERA) to the mound against the Astros’ Charlie Morton (15-3, 3.13 ERA). Bovada lists Houston as a -145 favorite to win the game and tie the ALCS at two games each.
Dodgers Win Marathon Pitching Duel
In the NLCS, the Los Angeles Dodgers outlasted the Milwaukee Brewers in a 13-inning classic, winning Game 4 by a 2-1 score to tie up the series at two games each. Cody Bellinger drove in Manny Machado with a two-out single in the 13th to score the winning run more than five hours after the game began.
“One of the crazier games, where there’s really no margin on either side,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said afterwards. “The bullpen, what they did tonight against a very good offensive club, my hat’s off to these guys.”
Both teams used their bullpens extensively in Game 4. After giving up a run in the first inning, Milwaukee starter Gio Gonzalez left the game with a twisted ankle. Brewers relievers then pitched 11 scoreless innings before Junior Guerra finally gave up the winning run in his fourth inning of work.
Meanwhile, the Dodgers got a solid start from Rich Hill, who gave up one run in five innings. Eight pitchers then combined to hold down the fort in relief, buying Los Angeles time until they finally broke through to score in the 13th inning.
After the game, Dodgers players admitted that they badly needed the win to avoid finding themselves in a desperate situation.
“You lose that game, extra innings, at home, go down 3-1, it’s not a very good feeling with the quick turnaround tomorrow,” Turner told reporters.
The Dodgers have added confidence going into Wednesday’s Game 5, as ace Clayton Kershaw (9-5, 2.73 ERA) will take the hill against Milwaukee’s Wade Miley (5-2, 2.57 ERA). Los Angeles is a -175 favorite to win and go back to Milwaukee with a 3-2 lead in the series.