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ALCS Game 2: Sox are coming home to Boston tied 1-1 after beating the Astros 9-5

By Boston 25 News Staff and ASSOCIATED PRESS
Kiké Hernández. Boston Red Sox's Enrique "Kiké" Hernandez watches his home run against the Houston Astros during the fourth inning in Game 2 of baseball's American League Championship Series Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Houston. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) (Sue Ogrocki/AP)
By Boston 25 News Staff and ASSOCIATED PRESS

HOUSTON — 8:50 p.m.: The Boston Red Sox became the first team to slug two grand slams in a postseason game, with J.D. Martinez and Rafael Devers connecting in the first two innings of a 9-5 win over the Houston Astros that tied their AL Championship Series at one game apiece.

Martinez made it 4-0 with his opposite-field shot off rookie Luis García with two outs in the first.

It was the first career playoff slam for the four-time All-Star, who began his career with the Astros. García exited with right knee discomfort after walking the first batter of the second inning.

Jake Odorizzi took over and allowed Devers’ slam with one out. (Associated Press)

8:35 p.m.: Post game scene in Houston. Follow Butch Stearns in Houston.

8:30 p.m.: The Red Sox win 9-5. Game 3 is Monday at Fenway Park. See you there!

8:24 p.m.: Another Astros home run. Pitching change for Red Sox. Now 9-5 Red Sox.

8:20 p.m.: Astros home run. Now 9-4 Red Sox.

8:12 p.m.: We are headed to the bottom of the 9th.

7:59 p.m.: We are headed to the 9th inning. Sox still up 9-3.

7: 34 p.m.: What a play by Christian Arroyo to end the inning. We’re headed into the 8th inning now. Sox still up 9-3.

7: 24 p.m.: The bullpen is getting active for the Red Sox. Follow our Butch Stearns who’s in Houston.

7:15 p.m.: Solid outing for Nathan Eovaldi. 81 pitches. 22 batters

6:43 p.m.: A 1-2-3 inning for Sox pitcher Nathan Eovaldi. Sixth inning coming up.

6:25 p.m.: Sox give three back to the Astros. Now 9-3 Sox in the 4th inning.

5:39 p.m.: He hits dingers! And he’s on fire! Kiké Hernández launches another bomb. Sox up 9-0.

5:39 p.m.: End of 2 innings. No damage there from the Astros. Sox still lead 8-0. The game is live on Boston 25.

5:25 p.m.: Rafael Devers - “I’ll have what J.D. is having.” Grand slam #2 for the Red Sox. Wow!

5:17 p.m.: Finally back to action after a lengthy pitching change. Top of second inning.

ASSOCIATED PRESS: Houston starter Luis García left Game 2 of the AL Championship Series in the second inning against the Boston Red Sox with an apparent injury. The rookie walked Kevin Plawecki leading off the second inning and was then visited on the mound by a trainer and pitching coach Brent Strom. García walked off with a trainer after a few minutes, and Strom motioned to the bullpen for a reliever. García was not sharp from the start, allowing a leadoff double to Kyle Schwarber and walking two batters before a grand slam by J.D. Martinez.

4:42 p.m.: Grand Slam! J.D. Martinez. Sox up 4-0!

Grand Slam - J.D. Martinez Boston Red Sox's J.D. Martinez celebrates his grand slam against the Houston Astros during the first inning in Game 2 of baseball's American League Championship Series Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) (David J. Phillip/AP)




Boston Red Sox (92-70, second in the AL East) vs. Houston Astros (95-67, first in the AL West)

Houston; Saturday, 4:20 p.m. EDT

PITCHING PROBABLES: Red Sox: Nathan Eovaldi (1-0, 3.70 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 195 strikeouts) Astros: Luis Garcia (0-0, 3.25 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 167 strikeouts)

FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Astros -140, Red Sox +125; over/under is 8 1/2 runs

ALCS: Houston leads the series 1-0

BOTTOM LINE: Luis Garcia and the Astros will take a 1-0 series lead into Game 2 of the ALCS.

The Astros were 51-30 on their home turf in 2021. Houston has a team slugging percentage of .450 this postseason, Carlos Correa leads them with a mark of .765, including three extra base hits and five RBIs.

The Red Sox were 43-38 on the road in 2021. Boston has a team batting average of .322 this postseason, Kike Hernandez has led them with an average of .500, including eight extra base hits and eight RBIs.

The Astros won the last meeting 5-4. Ryne Stanek recorded his second victory and Jose Altuve went 1-for-3 with a home run and three RBIs for Houston. Hansel Robles registered his first loss for Boston.

TOP PERFORMERS: Yordan Alvarez leads the Astros with 33 home runs and is slugging .531.

Rafael Devers leads the Red Sox with 77 extra base hits and is batting .281.

LAST 10 GAMES: Astros: 4-6, .222 batting average, 5.09 ERA, outscored by 15 runs

Red Sox: 5-5, .255 batting average, 4.40 ERA, outscored opponents by three runs

INJURIES: Astros: Justin Verlander: (elbow), Andre Scrubb: (shoulder), Rafael Montero: (shoulder), Tyler Ivey: (undisclosed), Kent Emanuel: (elbow), Pedro Baez: (shoulder), Freudis Nova: (knee), Taylor Jones: (covid-19).

Red Sox: Phillips Valdez: (covid-19).


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