When the Houston Astros acquired closer Roberto Osuna, despite rampant criticism for acquiring a player suspended 75 games for domestic violence, the organization imagined him being a shutdown reliever in the postseason.
Osuna took the mound with the Astros trailing by a run to the Boston Red Sox in the eighth inning. Houston’s skipper A.J. Hinch hoped he would allow the Astros to make a comeback in the bottom of the inning.
Instead, everything blew up in Houston’s face. The 23-year-old allowed a single in between two outs, then everything changed.
Following a single by Rafael Devers to put two runners on, Osuna then hit Brock Holt by a pitch to load the bases. Houston’s closer would then hit Mitch Moreland to drive in a run and give Boston a 4-2 lead
The Astros kept their closer in the game then on the third pitch of his at-bat, Red Sox outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. drilled Osuna’s fastball over the fence in right field for a grand slam.
Jackie Bradley Jr. says GOODNIGHTpic.twitter.com/ZHeVgvLzXO
— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) October 17, 2018
As Bradley Jr. and his teammates circled the bases to celebrate Boston’s 8-2 lead in Houston, Twitter erupted at Osuna’s postseason collapse and the potential karma that took place.
Jackie Bradley slamming the door on Houston, 8-2 Sox.
What a shame for Osuna.
— Pete Abraham (@PeteAbe) October 17, 2018
Roberta Osuna hitting two guys and giving up a grand slam? Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy.
— Mac Cerullo (@MacCerullo) October 17, 2018
Maybe there is karma after all.
— Kate Feldman (@kateefeldman) October 17, 2018
Osuna implodes. 8-2 Red Sox. pic.twitter.com/4KV4Q3XbVP
— Andrew Claudio (@AndrewJClaudio) October 17, 2018
Big Papi reacting to that JBJ @RedSox grand slam is everything. pic.twitter.com/lZNUwLmpG8
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) October 17, 2018
[to the tune of Hakuna Matata]
Osuna matado / the Astros hope in this game / Osuna matado / gets no passing graaade
— Levi Weaver (@ThreeTwoEephus) October 17, 2018
It's such an incomparably minimal "punishment" for Osuna's crimes, but this inning is cathartic.
— Mary Craig (@marymcraig) October 17, 2018