BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 9: Justin Verlander #35 of the Houston Astros reacts during the fifth inning of game four of the American League Division Series against the Boston Red Sox on October 9, 2017 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
The Boston Red Sox crowd was taken out of Game 4 of the ALDS early, but they were immediately thrust back into the action when Andrew Benintendi went yard on Justin Verlander — who was making the first ever relief appearance of his career — in the fifth inning.
Many questioned the move by Houston Astros manager A.J. Hinch with his starter Charlie Morton still pitching well. He had let one guy get on base, recorded an out in the fifth and had just struck out the side in the fourth. Verlander settled in after this mistake, pitching 2.2 innings (as of this writing) and allowing no more runs.
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