RED SOX SEND ASTROS’ OSUNA INTO ORBIT
Former Jays closer crushed in Game 3, writes
HOUSTON It was never going to be easy for Roberto Osuna to resume his career as a majorleague closer, regardless of his undeniable talent and competitiveness.
On Tuesday at Minute Maid Park, the former Toronto Blue Jays reliever got a hint of how harsh the spotlight may be on him for the foreseeable future.
After allowing five runs in an implosion of an eighth inning of an 8-2 loss to the Boston Red Sox, the court of public opinion in his new town weighed in.
Not openly embraced here since the Jays washed their hands of his assault charge and 75-game suspension for violation of MLB’s domestic violence policy, Osuna was heartily booed after Jackie Bradley Jr. hit a grand slam to extend the Sox lead to six runs.
It only got louder as he exited the game, a potential turning point in the best-of-seven ALCS, which the Red Sox now lead for the first time, two games to one.
Afterwards, Osuna said the pitch Bradley Jr. hit out of the park was one he would make again and again. He added that he’d be ready to close out Game 4 here on Wednesday should he be needed. But will it be that easy for Osuna given all that has happened since he was charged with assaulting a Toronto woman back in early May? As much as the native of Sinaloa, Mexico became the most accomplished young closer in the game while with the Jays, he was also prone to lapses.
Insulated for much of his time in Houston as he quietly integrated into the Astros clubhouse, for public consumption anyway, his teammates and manager A.J. Hinch say Osuna will be fine.
While clearly upset at his performance, Osuna tried to wipe it away afterwards.
“That’s a pitch I will always get him out with … I will go there a hundred more times,” Osuna said of the Bradley Jr. blast. “It’s tough because we lost and I don’t want to do that to this team, especially in a situation like that.”
The situation was still tenuous and based on past history, the type of game the Astros are clutch at winning.
With Boston up 3-2 entering the eighth — thanks to a towering go-ahead homer from Osuna’s teammate in Toronto, Steve Pearce — Osuna was tasked with the assignment of keeping it close.
This Astros team, after all, has been money late in ball games, a team renowned for how it is never out of a game. Instead, Osuna lasted just two-thirds of an inning, gave up three hits and hit two batters.
“We’re trying to keep it at the one-run game with a really effective closer in the middle part of their order,” Hinch said.
Instead, it fell apart horribly, a collapse reminiscent of some of the spectacular blown saves Osuna had last season while in Toronto.
The outburst allowed the Sox to improve to 3-0 on the road these playoffs and it certainly had to put some doubt in the Astros, who now have consecutive losses after winning their first five this October. Yes, they are a confident bunch and arguably the deeper team, but at minimum it’s shaping up to be a hell of a series now.
Osuna, who managed just two outs before exiting, hit Mitch Moreland with the bases loaded to bring in one run before allowing the slam to Bradley Jr. two batters later.
When he went to the mound to take the ball from him, Hinch said he told Osuna to clear his mind because he’ll be needed for some more big outs.
The hope, from a Houston perspective, is that he has a short memory.
“He’s one of the best pitchers in the game, he’s got the temperament that closers strive to have,” Astros catcher Brian McCann said.
“He’s an awesome dude, he’s fit in here from Day 1.
“I’m a guy who meets him here and he’s been nothing but a great teammate. He’s going to be ready to go tomorrow.”