David Ortiz did it again for the Boston Red Sox. The man who has delivered so many clutch hits for the Sox throughout his career came through with what’s likely the team’s biggest home run of the season.
A day after the Red Sox were nearly no-hit by the Detroit Tigers in Game 1 of the ALCS, the team struggled again to put runs on the board. Boston was held hitless and scoreless through five innings and only had one run until the eighth. Then, down 5-1 in the eighth, they loaded the bases with two outs. The Tigers inserted Joaquin Benoit to face Ortiz, and he took the right-handed pitcher deep to right-center for a grand slam to tie the game at five.
The Sox of course went on to win Game 2 thanks to a walk-off RBI single from Jarrod Saltalamacchia in the ninth, completing a highly improbable comeback for a team that was down 5-0 in the sixth.
There are some crazy aspects of the grand slam that must be examined. First off, look at how close Torii Hunter was to robbing Ortiz’s grand slam:
Then how amazing was the juxtaposition between the security guard celebrating while Hunter flipped over the fence:
Sports picture of the year?–> pic.twitter.com/2bGNJYyfOd
— Peter Burns (@PeterBurnsRadio) October 14, 2013
One thing I’ll say about that hit is that I didn’t like Detroit’s defensive strategy. I think bringing infielders in to the edge of the grass cuts off too much of their range. Having them play a few steps back from the grass allows them more range without compromising the throw home.
According to ESPN, Ortiz is now tied with JD Drew of all people for second with five go-ahead or game-tying hits in the 8th inning or later in postseason history. One more and he ties Pete Rose and Bernie Williams.
