BOSTON, Oct. 14 (UPI) -- David Ortiz belted a score-tying grand slam in the eighth inning Sunday and Boston went on to stun Detroit 6-5 in Game 2 of the AL Championship Series.
The Red Sox had been held scoreless on two hits over seven innings by Tigers starter Max Scherzer and were trailing 5-1 entering the eighth when they began an improbable comeback against the Detroit bullpen.
Will Middlebrooks began the rally with a one-out double against Jose Veras, and Drew Smyly relieved only to issue a walk to Jacoby Ellsbury.
Al Alburquerque then took the mound and, after striking out Shane Victorino, surrendered a bases-loading single to Dustin Pedroia.
The Tigers brought in closer Joaquin Benoit and Ortiz greeted him by lining his first pitch over the right-field wall for a grand slam. Tigers outfielder Torii Hunter careened over the fence and into the Red Sox bullpen trying to make the catch.
In the ninth, Jonny Gomes delivered an infield single against Rick Porcello (0-1) and took second on a throwing error by shortstop Julio Iglesias.
Gomes went to third on a wild pitch and scored the game-winning run on Jarrod Saltalamacchia's single past a diving Iglesias.
Koji Uehara (1-0) earned the win for the Red Sox, who evened the ALCS at 1-1 with the wild comeback.
Alex Avila smacked a two-run homer, finishing with three RBI, and Miguel Cabrera added a solo shot for Detroit, which will host Tuesday's Game 3.
