When Jordan Luplow hit a first inning grand slam to extend Chris Sale‘s postseason woes, doubt may have began to creep in for the Red Sox as they were in danger of heading home facing a 2-0 series deficit. What followed not only might have saved their season, but constituted a historic offensive showing. Kiké Hernandez had five hits and three RBI’s while Boston’s offense set a franchise record with five bombs and became the first team ever to record at least five HR & 20+ Hits during one playoff game.
Boston #RedSox are the 1st team with 20+ Hits & 5+ HR during 1 postseason game in MLB history pic.twitter.com/wAGlDsRoER
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) October 9, 2021
INTERESTING FACTS
- Highest SLG% in MLB Playoff history (min 25 GP): 1. Randy Arozarena (.819), 2. Babe Ruth (.744), 3. Lou Gehrig (.731)
- Shane Baz has the t-fewest career GP (3) by a player making his 1st Playoff GS in MLB history, tying former TB SP Matt Moore
- Chris Sale has the worst ERA (8.84) by a SP in MLB postseason history (min 5 GS)
- Kiké Hernández is the 1st player to record 4+ XBH during 1 postseason game in Boston Red Sox history
- 1st team to have their SP’s record under 2 IP (E-Rod 1.2 & Sale 1.0) in each of the 1st 2 games of a playoff series in MLB history
- 1st team to allow a 1st inning Grand Slam and still win the game in MLB Postseason history (7 1st inning playoff Slams ever)
- 1st team to have 6+ players record multiple RBI during 1 playoff game in MLB history
- Most HR (5) during 1 postseason GP in franchise history
- 1st team to have 4 different players record 3+ Hits & 1+ HR during 1 postseason game in MLB history
- Only team to have 5 players record 3+ Hits during 1 postseason game in MLB history, also doing so in 1999 ALDS Game 4
- 1st team with 20+ Hits & 5+ HR during 1 postseason game in MLB history
MAIN TAKEAWAY
BOSTON RED SOX HAD 1 OF THE GREATEST OFFENSIVE GAMES IN MLB PLAYOFFS HISTORY
COLORS KEY | FULL RED SOX OUTLOOK
Boston has been largely overlooked all year as a result of playing in a division with the Rays, who held the best record in the AL, and the Yankees with their huge payroll and natural expectations. This series is no different, but they have effectively taken home field away from the Rays, and will now try to bring this offensive momentum back to Fenway Park, where Nathan Eovaldi will match up with Drew Rasmussen on Sunday afternoon after a historic outing in Game 2.
It was an incredible offensive display for Boston, as they became the first team in postseason history to rack up 20 or more hits and five or more home runs during a single game while breaking their franchise playoff record with five dingers. Hernandez also set an individual Red Sox record, becoming the first Sox player to have four extra base hits in a playoff game and the records didn’t stop there as seen in the INTERESTING FACTS section above. It was truly one of the best offensive outings in MLB Playoff history.
BEST HIGHLIGHTS
Verdugo-ing all out
VerduGoAndGetIt pic.twitter.com/uh0iXlaPN3
— MLB (@MLB) October 9, 2021
Rays Grand Slam off Sale
JORDAN 4s.
Luplow with a 1st-inning slam! pic.twitter.com/D02cuVGy0I
— MLB (@MLB) October 8, 2021
Backs against the wall
Classic Kiermaier. pic.twitter.com/a7hiZRYfJN
— MLB (@MLB) October 9, 2021
BoSox franchise HR record
Boston #RedSox recorded their most HR (5) during 1 postseason GP in franchise history
pic.twitter.com/lp3OSU3LSm— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) October 9, 2021
Boston #RedSox are the 1st team to have 4 different players record 3+ Hits & 1+ HR during 1 #postseason game in MLB history
pic.twitter.com/QazQWWhcVS— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) October 9, 2021
Boston #RedSox are the only team to have 5 players record 3+ Hits during 1 postseason game in MLB history, also doing so in 1999 ALDS Game 4
pic.twitter.com/GvtRmSjoFO— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) October 9, 2021
Boston #RedSox are the 1st team with 20+ Hits & 5+ HR during 1 postseason game in MLB history pic.twitter.com/wAGlDsRoER
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) October 9, 2021
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