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Red Sox Postseason: Jackie Bradley joins list of epic ALCS grand slams

By Sean Penney

HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 16: Jackie Bradley Jr. #19 of the Boston Red Sox hits a grand slam against Roberto Osuna #54 of the Houston Astros in the eighth inning during Game Three of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on October 16, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 16: Jackie Bradley Jr. #19 of the Boston Red Sox hits a grand slam against Roberto Osuna #54 of the Houston Astros in the eighth inning during Game Three of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on October 16, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – AUGUST 13: David Ortiz #34 of the Boston Red Sox lines out to right against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the seventh inning at Fenway Park on August 13, 2016 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Red Sox won 6-3. (Photo by Rich Gagnon/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – AUGUST 13: David Ortiz #34 of the Boston Red Sox lines out to right against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the seventh inning at Fenway Park on August 13, 2016 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Red Sox won 6-3. (Photo by Rich Gagnon/Getty Images) /

David Ortiz provided one of the most unforgettable playoff moments in franchise history in Game 2 of the 2013 ALCS. Boston trailed 5-1 in the eighth inning after being held in check by Detroit Tigers starter Max Scherzer over the first seven innings. Then two key factors turned the tide. Boston was able to get into the Tigers bullpen and Big Papi was given another chance to hit.

Detroit cycled through three relievers to get two outs while loading the bases before turning to Joaquin Benoit as their fourth pitcher of the inning to face Ortiz. The plan backfired when Ortiz sent a line drive into the Red Sox bullpen to tie the game.

The moment instantly became iconic for the image of Tigers outfielder Torii Hunter tumbling over the right field wall with his legs in the air while Boston police officer Steve Horgan stood in the bullpen with his arms raised in celebration.

The Red Sox would win the game on a walk-off base hit by Jarrod Saltalamacchia to even the series. Without the Ortiz grand slam, Boston would have been in danger of dropping into a 0-2 hole. We can never count out this franchise after what happened in ’04 but it would be a much steeper hill to climb had they dropped the first two games at home.

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