Revamped lineup revs Red Sox in 7-run 4th

NEW YORK -- Given a chance to mix up his lineup for Game 3 of the American League Division Series on Monday night, Alex Cora made wholesale changes to his infield. Steve Pearce replaced Mitch Moreland at first base. Brock Holt took over for Ian Kinsler at second. Rafael Devers manned third in place of Eduardo Núñez and Christian Vázquez started over Sandy León at catcher.
Within four innings at Yankee Stadium, the Sox had received more production from the bottom half of their lineup than in Games 1 and 2 combined. Batting around in the fourth, the Sox put seven runs on the board to take a 10-0 lead without the benefit of a homer.
"We're very depthy," Pearce said after Boston's 16-1 win. "We have a lot of athletic guys who play a lot of positions and when you have that many options, I'm sure it's a good feeling for Alex [Cora]."
Already up, 3-0, heading into the fourth, the Sox led off the inning with a pair of singles from Holt and Vazquez, then a walk to chase Yankees starter Luis Severino from the game. Reliever Lance Lynn walked the first batter he saw, Mookie Betts, to force in a run, then served up Andrew Benintendi's game-breaking three-run double.
The Sox weren't done, continuing to rap out hits against Lynn and reliever Chad Green. Pearce added an RBI single and Holt hit a two-run triple for his second hit of the inning, and Boston's final one of the rally. Holt also homered in the ninth inning to become the first player in history to complete a cycle in the postseason.

J.D. Martinez joked that Cora uses a "crystal ball" when putting together his lineups.
"He's been doing it all year. He mixes it up," Martinez said. "I think he's got faith in everybody in here. He does a really good job of giving everyone a chance and getting everyone out there and lining up people and pretty much putting guys in a position to be successful."