Bradley slam gives Boston series lead
HOUSTON — Jackie Bradley Jr.’s demeanor didn’t change this season, even as fans begged the Boston Red Sox to trade him during a miserable first-half slump.
Stayed steady after the biggest swing of his career, too.
Bradley belted an eighth-inning grand slam for his second clutch hit in the AL Championship Series, sparking an 8-2 victory on Tuesday over the Houston Astros.
The victory gives Boston a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
“One of my coaches back in the day … said: ‘No one should ever know whether you’re winning or losing. Kind of keep the same temperament. That way, it will allow you to put some perspective into things,’” Bradley said. “And I kind of took that to heart.”
His low-key approach was on display as he rounded the bases without the hint of a smile. He greeted his screaming, excited teammates at home plate with one small jump and a few high fives.
Bradley’s slam backed a solid start by Nathan Eovaldi, who hushed Houston a day after some social media smack talk from Alex Bregman.
“We can play at any park,” Eovaldi said. “The first game is always the biggest one of any series when you go on the road.”
Steve Pearce hit a tiebreaking homer for the Red Sox off Joe Smith in the sixth, a drive that sailed just inside the foul pole in left field for a 3-2 lead.
Bradley’s slam capped a five-run eighth against Roberto Osuna. The Astros closer got two outs but allowed two singles and plunked consecutive batters to force in a run. Bradley then crushed a 1-1 fastball into the right field seats.
“That’s the pitch I always get him out with,” Osuna said. “He hit it today, but I would go there 100 more times.”
Osuna was acquired from Toronto this season while serving a 75-game ban under Major League Baseball’s domestic violence policy. He had a 1.99 ERA over 23 games for Houston in the regular season after he returned.
With his childhood hero and fellow Alvin, Texas, native Nolan Ryan sitting behind the plate, Eovaldi turned in another solid start. He allowed six hits and two runs with four strikeouts in six innings to win the second playoff start of his career.
Bradley, who had a three-run double in a Game 2 victory, caught the ire of many Red Sox fans while batting .210 during the first half of the season.
“It’s a credit to him, because at this level, when you’re hitting .180 after two months or I think it was three months, it is hard,” Cora said. “And he kept showing up. He kept working. He kept working his craft. Now you see the results.”