ALCS Game 3: From 1,800 miles away, Jackie Bradley Jr. sent New England into a frenzy

There is no doubt that every Red Sox fan watching Game 3 of the ALCS went wild after Jackie Bradley Jr. drilled an eighth inning grand slam to put the game out of reach.

While the Boston Red Sox and Houston Astros were playing Game 3 of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park, you can bet that just about every baseball fan in New England was sitting on the edge of their seat and gritting their teeth.

Well, at least for the first seven innings.

And then in the top of the eighth, Jackie Bradley Jr. caused a rush of pure excitement and adrenaline to surge through an entire region — even from 1,800 miles away, down in Houston. With the bases loaded and the Red Sox leading 4-2, Bradley turned on a 1-1 pitch from Roberto Osuna and drove it deep into the seats in right center field.

Bradley delivered the knockout punch to the Astros with the biggest hit of his career, making it an 8-2 lead for Boston to all but wrap up a victory in Game 3 and guaranteeing that the Red Sox cannot lose this series without at least making a trip back home to Fenway Park first.

As the ball soared off of Bradley’s bat, all of those nervous Sox fans watching back at home were finally able to jump out of their seats and let out a celebratory shout. Their team was about to pick up a win over the Astros at Minute Maid Park — no easy task, as the Astros were 9-1 in their last 10 postseason games at home.

After the teams picked up a split in Games 1 and 2 back in Boston, most Red Sox fans (myself included) likely had the mindset that the team just needed to find a way to win one game in Houston and get the series back to Fenway. At least if they did that, they could take their chances in Games 6 and 7 at home.

It’s only been one game in Houston, and the Red Sox have already accomplished that, and in electrifying fashion as well. Now, as they try to navigate through the remaining two games at Minute Maid Park, they can play it safe. Former Cy Young winner Rick Porcello, who has been excellent thus far in these playoffs, will take the mound in Game 4 and will give them a solid chance to get another win. As for Game 5, we will have to see if ace Chris Sale is healthy enough to get the ball.

But either way, one thing was guaranteed after Bradley blasted that grand slam: At least one more game will be played at Fenway Park in 2018.