Nelson Cruz of the Texas Rangers AFP PHOTO
DALLAS – Nelson Cruz blasted the first game-winning grand slam in Major League Baseball playoff history, lifting Texas to a 7-3 win over Detroit for a 2-0 lead in their second round playoff series.
Cruz hit a towering homer into the left field stands with no outs in the bottom of the 11th inning Monday after blasting a game-tying home run four innings earlier. His walkoff grand slam came off Tigers pitcher Ryan Perry.
Cruz also homered in Texas’ game one 3-2 victory.
Cruz got a helping hand from the Rangers’ relief pitchers on Monday as the group combined to pitch 8 1/3 scoreless innings.
Game two was supposed to be played Sunday but organizers postponed it one day because of the threat of rain in Texas. Game three is Tuesday in Detroit. Colby Lewis will start for Texas while Doug Fister gets the starting nod for the Tigers.