Red Sox pitch ace Chris Sale in relief during Game 4 of ALDS

The Boston Red Sox brought out all the stops during Game 4 of the ALDS as they looked to close out the New York Yankees.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora decided to pitch Chris Sale in relief with the team ahead 4-1 in the bottom of the eighth inning. Sale erased the Yankees in order in the eighth and only needed 13 pitches.

Although Sale has worked almost exclusively as a starter for seven straight seasons — making the All-Star team in each year — he pitched as a reliever his first two seasons with the Chicago White Sox. That was back in 2010 and 2011. He also had one relief appearance in 2012.

Prior to Tuesday, Sale last pitched in relief during the 2017 playoffs. He entered Game 4 against the Houston Astros with the Red Sox facing elimination. Sale and Justin Verlander squared off in relief that game, with Verlander getting the win and Sale taking the loss. Sale actually pitched well, but the Sox might have left him in an inning too long in that game and he was charged for two runs in the eighth.

The next question will be about Sale’s availability for the ALCS, which is scheduled to begin on Saturday.