See J.D. Martinez, Rafael Devers blast 2 grand slams in 2 innings against the Astros in ALCS
Things got hot quickly between the Boston Red Sox and Houston Astros in Game 2 of the ALCS on Saturday, thanks to J.D. Martinez and his stunning first-inning grand slam.
In the top of the first with Luis Garcia on the mound for the Astros — who lead the series, 1-0 — Red Sox first baseman Kyle Schwarber doubled to right field. Then a little later, third baseman Rafael Devers and left fielder Alex Verdugo walked.
And with the bases loaded super early in this postseason matchup, 34-year-old slugger Martinez stepped up to the plate.
After taking the first ball from Garcia, Martinez then swung on a 93-mile an hour four-seam fastball and homered 363 feet for a huge grand slam and a 4-0 first-inning lead for the Red Sox.
JUST DINGERS!
A grand slam for @JDMartinez28! pic.twitter.com/fXYwKRJLKE
— MLB (@MLB) October 16, 2021
Just listen to the sound Martinez’s bat made as he blew that ball to right field. Beautiful.
BRING OUT THE pic.twitter.com/tgjvVWLwrO
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 16, 2021
The top of the first ended not long after, but the early damage was done. And if you tuned into the game a little late, you missed an incredible moment for the Red Sox.
UPDATE: The Red Sox did it again in the second inning…
Obviously, things weren’t going well for the Astros, and then it got worse, even after they pulled Garcia off the mound and replaced him with Jake Odorizzi, who gave up another grand slam to Boston.
First, the Astros walked catcher Kevin Plawecki, and then second baseman Christian Arroyo and centerfielder Kiké Hernández each singled, loading the bases yet again.
And this time, it was Devers turn to deliver the second grand slam of the game in the top of the second inning. Off an 88-mile an hour cutter, the Red Sox’s third baseman blasted a 357-foot homer so close to the edge of right field that it was barely a fair ball, and this grand slam sounds as awesome as the first.
2 INNINGS, 2 GRAND SLAMS! pic.twitter.com/XF4RVTi0JD
— MLB (@MLB) October 16, 2021
The @RedSox are on pace for 9 grand slams today. pic.twitter.com/4yR9L9t0nz
— MLB (@MLB) October 16, 2021
Just like that, a wild, early 4-0 lead for the Red Sox became an 8-0 in the second. Per Yahoo! Sports, the Red Sox are now the first team in MLB postseason history to hit multiple grand slams in a single game.
SECOND UPDATE: The Red Sox won, 9-5, and now the series is tied at 1-1.