ALCS Recap: Game 3
The Boston Red Sox make a big time statement at Fenway, while flexing their offensive potency, putting up TWELVE in Game 3. Games 1 & 2 were a slugfest that featured both pitching staffs getting bounced relatively early. Ultimately, the series ending up tied at 1-1 heading into tonight with Jose Urquidy (HOU) & Eduardo Rodriguez (BOS) slated to start the crucial Game 3.
Innings 1-3
(Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
It didn’t take long for the scoring to start in this one as Boston got out to a COMMANDING lead, scoring 6 in the 2nd inning, off the back of a Kyle Schwarber Grandslam. Boston has now hit not 1, not 2…but THREE Grandslams this series & continued to show how dominant their lineup is. Christian Arroyo would later tack on in the 3rd inning with a 2-run bomb of his own, extending Boston’s lead to 9-0.
Houston’s pitching did not help their cause as their starter Urquidy only lasted 1.2 innings, giving up 5 earned runs on 5 hits with 2 walks & 1 strikeout. Their bullpen didn’t do them any favors either with Yimi Garcia, Brooks Raley, Phil Maton & Ryne Stanke allowing 6 earned runs 6 hits through a combined 4 innings.
Innings 4-6
(Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
Houston would answer right back in the top of the 4th inning with a Kyle Tucker 3-run homerun. At this point the Astros started to gain a bit of life after going down by a massive margin but all hope seemed lost after such a gut punch to begin the game.
Boston scored again in the bottom of the 6th, adding another 2 runs with a blast from J.D. Martinez. Offense aside, Eduardo Rodriguez’ performance tonight is not to be overshadowed as he gave them some much needed length, similar to Eovaldi’s performance in Game 2.
Innings 7-9
(Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
The Astros were shutout from the 4th inning on, despite Kyle Tucker’s breath of air. Houston never really had a chance to get back into the game as mentioned due to the 9 runs scored so very early.
The Boston offense scored another run to add to their lead in the Bottom of the 8th, bringing the score to 12-3, which was the eventual final score. Boston’s bullpen was able to close out the game after a solid 6 innings by Eduardo Rodriguez. Hansel Robles pitched 1 inning allowing 0 runs on 0 hits, Martin Perez pitched 1 inning, allowing 0 runs on 0 hits & Hirokazu Sawamura was able to “Close” the game striking out 1.
Final Score:
Boston 12 / Houston 3
Stars of The Game
(BOS) Kyle Schwarber: 1-4 | 4 RBI | 1 HR | 1 GRANDSLAM
(BOS) J.D. Martinez: 2-3 | 2 RBI | 1 HR
(BOS) Christian Arroyo: 1-4 | 3 RBI | 1 HR
(BOS) Eduardo Rodriguez: 6.0 IP | 3 ER | 5 H | 7 K | 0 BB
(HOU) Kyle Tucker: 1-2 | 3 RBI | 1 HR
News & Notes
The Red Sox are the ONLY TEAM in HISTORY with 3 Grandslams in a Postseason series
Houston Astros Starters now hold a 20.25 ERA through 3 games of the ALCS
Boston holds a 2-1 Series Lead
Projected Game 4 Starters: (HOU) Zack Greinke vs (BOS) TBD
Kiké Hernández continues to stay hot with another multi-hit game, going 2-4 tonight, keeping his 2021 Postseason AVG at .500 with a 1.541 OPS through 8 games.
Kyle Tucker has been an underrated player this Postseason, slashing .296/.321/.704/1.025 through 7 games with 8 Hits, 3 HR & 11 RBI