Red Sox slam Astros to knot series
HOUSTON (AP) — The Boston Red Sox have evened the AL Championship Series at a game apiece by becoming the first team in postseason history to hit two grand slams in a game.
The Red Sox hit the slams during the first two innings of a 9-5 rout of the Astros in Houston. J.D. Martinez made it 4-0 with his opposite-field shot off rookie Luis García with two out in the first. Rafael Devers did the honors in the second inning against Jake Odorizzi, who entered the game after Garcia left with right knee discomfort.
Kiké Hernández had two hits, highlighted by a solo homer in the fourth inning. Hernández has been this postseason’s hottest hitter, leading all players with 16 hits, five homers and four doubles.
Red Sox starting and winning pitcher Nathan Eovaldi permitted five hits and three runs in 5 1/3 innings.
Yuli Gurriel was the Astros’ top hitter with a solo homer and a two-run single. He and Jason Castro both homered in the ninth inning.
Game 3 is Monday in Boston.
Braves win on walk-off hit
ATLANTA (AP) — Austin Riley was the hitting star as the Atlanta Braves took Game 1 of the NL Championship Series.
Riley delivered a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth to give the Braves a 3-2 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Atlanta third baseman also hit a solo homer to tie the game in the fourth, a half-inning after Will Smith went deep for the Dodgers.
Blake Treinen struck out Freddie Freeman to open the ninth before giving up Ozzie Albies’ bloop single to center field. Albies stole second and scored on Riley’s line drive into left field.
Winning pitcher Will Smith got two outs in the ninth before walking Chris Taylor. Pinch-hitter Cody Bellinger hit a soft single to right field, but Taylor got caught in a rundown between second and third that started with right fielder Joc Pederson’s throw to shortstop Dansby Swanson.
Game 2 is Sunday in Atlanta.
