Red Sox, Ortiz slam Tigers late, even ALCS with amazing comeback

Associated Press

BOSTON

David Ortiz revived the Red Sox with a tying grand slam in the eighth inning, then Jarrod Saltalamacchia hit a winning single in the ninth that sent Boston past the Detroit Tigers 6-5 Sunday night to even the AL championship series at 1-all.

The Tigers were cruising to their second straight win at Fenway Park, with starter Max Scherzer taking a no-hitter and a 5-0 lead into the sixth inning.

But with one swing, Ortiz changed everything. His two-out shot sent right fielder Torii Hunter jack-knifing into the Boston bullpen in a futile attempt to catch the ball, making it 5-5.

Saltalamacchia’s single came after a series of Tigers misplays in the ninth. A wild throw, a wild pitch and a missed catch set up the game-ending hit.

The teams head to Detroit for Game 3 on Tuesday. Justin Verlander will face Boston’s John Lackey.

Boston’s win came one night after Detroit limited the Red Sox to one hit in a 1-0 loss in Game 1. Daniel Nava’s clean single to center field broke up the Tigers’ bid for the third no-hitter in postseason history.

The Red Sox tied the major league postseason record for a nine-inning game by striking out 17 times against Anibal Sanchez and four relievers. They did draw six walks — all against Sanchez, who left after six innings and 116 pitches. He also threw two wild pitches.

Relievers Al Alburquerque, Drew Smyly and Jose Veras held the Red Sox hitless the next two innings, and closer Joaquin Benoit struck out Mike Napoli leading off the ninth.

Then Nava got Boston’s only hit when he was jammed but dropped the single in front of Austin Jackson. Benoit finished up by retiring Stephen Drew and Xander Bogaerts.

“It was one of those nights,” Nava said of the near no-hitter. “You never want it to happen — ever.”