The AL Central champions erased a 5-1 deficit in the franchise’s first home playoff game in 13 years, trimming Houston’s series edge to 2-1. Tim Anderson collected three more hits, and Ryan Tepera started a stellar finish for Chicago’s bullpen after Dylan Cease and Michael Kopech (1-0) struggled.
Houston was hoping to sweep its way into its fifth consecutive appearance in the AL Championship Series. The AL West champions got off to a fast start behind Kyle Tucker, but they failed to record a hit in the last five innings.
Game 4 of the best-of-five series is scheduled for this afternoon, but there is rain in the forecast.
Boston Red Sox catcher Christian Vazquez ended a marathon Game 3 against the Tampa Bay Rays with a two-run walk-off home run on Sunday night to come within one game of winning their American League Division Series.
Vazquez pinch-hit for Kevin Plawecki earlier in the game and with a runner on-base and Luis Patiño on the mound, the catcher hit a booming shot onto the seats atop the Green Monster in the bottom of the 13th inning. Boston won the game 6-4 and is one win away from advancing to the American League Championship Series.
The ending didn’t come without some controversy.
In the top of the 13th inning, Rays outfielder Kevin Kiermaier thought he had put his team up one run with two outs. He hit a shot to right field that nearly cleared the fence. Instead, the ball bounced off the wall and hit right field Hunter Renfroe before bouncing over the wall. Yandy Diaz scored and it appeared for a moment the Rays were going to take the lead.
However, the umpires ruled that Kiermaier hit should be ground rule double sticking Kiermaier on second base and Diaz on third instead of a two-out RBI double. Mike Zunino would then strikeout swinging to record the third out, leaving both players on base.
Fans were irate.
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Boston got a huge game from Kiké Hernández. He went 3-for-6 with a home run and two RBI. He’s also the first player to have eight hits in a two-game span in a single postseason. Kyle Schwarber also hit a home run off Rays starter Drew Rasmussen.
Tampa Bay’s Austin Meadows and Wander Franco each had home runs. Meadows finished with two RBI and Randy Arozarena contributed with an RBI as well.
Boston could close out Tampa Bay in Game 4 tonight. The game is set for 7:07 p.m. ET.
The series is even at a game apiece with Game 3 slated today in Atlanta.
GAME 1: The Milwaukee Brewers earned a 2-1 win over the Atlanta Braves on Friday.
The best-of-five series shifts to Dodger Stadium for Game 3 tonight, tied at 1 game apiece.
The 107-win Giants edged the 106-win Dodgers for the division on the final day.
The Giants shut out rival Dodgers 4-0 in the playoff opener.
