Field Level Media
Aug 23, 2021
Travis Shaw hit a walk-off grand slam in the 11th inning as the Boston Red Sox prevailed 8-4 in a back-and-forth game against the visiting Texas Rangers in the rubber match of a three-game series Monday afternoon.
Christian Vazquez reached on a sacrifice bunt to open the 11th that allowed Hunter Renfroe, who began the inning at second base, to advance to third. Rangers reliever Dennis Santana (2-3) intentionally walked Alex Verdugo (3 for 4) before serving up Shaw's grand slam.
"Honestly just hit a ball to the outfield -- that was my main purpose that whole at bat," Shaw told NESN afterward.
With Boston down to its final strike in the 10th, Rafael Devers launched a tying 420-foot RBI double to deep center to allow Xander Bogaerts to score from first. Bogaerts reached on a fielders' choice as Texas shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa threw out Christian Arroyo at the plate for the second out.
Nathaniel Lowe's single with one out in the top of the 10th plated Kiner-Falefa, who began the extra frame at second base, to put the Rangers up 4-3.
Texas' Andy Ibanez hit a tying two-run double with one out in the ninth off Red Sox closer Matt Barnes to make it 3-3.
Verdugo hit a two-run home run and Renfroe added a solo shot for Boston. The Red Sox bounced back from a 10-1 blowout loss to the Rangers on Saturday after winning the series opener 6-0 on Friday.
Boston reliever Garrett Whitlock (5-2) earned the win after giving up a run and striking out four in 2 2/3 innings. Red Sox starter Nathan Eovaldi allowed one unearned run on four hits with no walks and seven strikeouts over seven innings.
The game was a makeup of Sunday's scheduled series finale that was postponed one day by the arrival of Hurricane Henri.
Boston moved one game ahead of Oakland for the second American League wild-card spot after the Athletics lost 5-3 to the Seattle Mariners on Monday night.
Rangers starter Kolby Allard allowed three runs on four hits with three walks and five strikeouts in six innings.
--Field Level Media