BOSTON STRONG -
THE ROAD TO REDEMPTION
 2013 ALCS, GAME #2
Ortiz grand slam ties the game
and Salty delivers the walk-off

October 13, 2013 ... In what has been a season full of memorable late-inning victories at Fenway Park, the Red Sox saved the best for when they needed it the most in Game 2 of the American League Championship Series.

Trailing by four runs against the Detroit Tigers, the Sox tied the game on a grand slam by David Ortiz in the eighth inning then won it, 6-5, when Jarrod Saltalamacchia singled to drive in Jonny Gomes in the ninth.  The remarkable victory had the players chasing Saltalamacchia across the outfield and the sellout crowd of 38,029 chanting "Let's Go Red Sox!" as they left Fenway.

That wall was hard to get over. The Sox had scored one run through the 16 innings in the series, going 3 for 51 at the plate with 30 strikeouts.  Detroit starter Max Scherzer allowed one run on two hits over seven innings and struck out 13.  But Scherzer left the game after 108 pitches and the Red Sox had a break. Will Middlebrooks doubled to left field off Jose Veras to start the rally. Then Jacoby Ellsbury drew a walk off Drew Smyly.  Al Albuquerque was next out of the Detroit bullpen. He struck out Shane Victorino for the second out, but Pedroia singled to right. Third base coach Brian Butterfield held Middlebrooks, wanting to make sure Ortiz got his chance. Tigers manager Jim Leyland made another pitching change before Ortiz came up, bringing in righthanded closer Joaquin Benoit.   Ortiz swung at the first pitch, a changeup away, and was strong enough to pull it into the Red Sox bullpen in right field for his first career postseason grand slam and the fourth in Red Sox history.

Right fielder Torii Hunter tumbled over the wall trying to make a catch as Boston police officer Steve Horgan raised his arms in joy. Bullpen catcher Mani Martinez, who was warming up Koji Uehara, casually turned and caught the ball.  It was bedlam at Fenway and the crowd kept cheering until Ortiz emerged from the dugout and tipped his helmet to them.

It was the 15th postseason home run for Ortiz. It was the first Sox postseason slam since J.D. Drew against Cleveland in Game 6 of the 2007 ALCS.

There was still a game to win. After Uehara retired the Tigers in order, Gomes was again the catalyst.  He reached on an infield single off Rick Porcello and took second on a throwing error by shortstop Jose Iglesias, the former Sox player known for his defensive skills. Gomes advanced on a wild pitch and scored when Saltalamacchia singled to left field.

It was the 12th walkoff win of the season for the Red Sox.

Scherzer struck out 10 of the first 18 batters he faced. Trailing, 5-0, the Sox finally got a hit with two outs in the sixth inning when Victorino singled to left field with one out. Pedroia followed with an RBI double off the wall in left. Red Sox starter Clay Buchholz allowed five runs on eight hits over 5 2/3 innings.

Miguel Cabrera started the sixth inning with a home run to left field. Prince Fielder followed with a double high off the wall in left. Victor Martinez's double to the gap in right scored Fielder. Buchholz stayed in the game to face Alex Avila and when he left a fastball up it was driven into the bleachers in right field. Avila's third career postseason home run gave the Tigers a 5-0 lead.  Farrell stayed with Buchholz even after the long home run. Not until Infante singled did he bring in rookie reliever Brandon Workman.  The five runs were the most Buchholz allowed in a start this season. In two postseason starts he has given up eight earned runs on 15 hits (three home runs) and five walks over 11 2/3 innings.

John Farrell changed the lineup for Game 2. First baseman Mike Napoli and left fielder Daniel Nava were benched, with Mike Carp and Jonny Gomes starting in their place. Farrell said his decision was based more on the Sox facing Detroit righthander Max Scherzer than Saturday's 1-0 loss. Napoli is 1 for 13 in his career against Scherzer and Nava 1 for 9.

The St. Ann's Parish Children's Choir of Dorchester performed the national anthem before Sunday's game, led by 7-year-old Jane Richard. Jane lost her left leg in the Boston Marathon bombings. Her brother, Martin, was killed and her mother, Denise, was also wounded. Jane, who was wearing a Pedroia jersey, received a round of applause from the Red Sox players when she finished.

Dave Roberts, one of the heroes of the 2004 Red Sox, threw out the first pitch.  Bill Mueller, was also at Fenway. He is an advance scout for the Dodgers and has been following the Red Sox for several weeks.

The Tigers were scheduled to fly back to Detroit after the game. The Red Sox elected not to travel until tomorrow morning. The teams will work out at Comerica Park on Monday afternoon before Game 3 at 4:07 p.m. on Tuesday.

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