What a relief: Out of pen, Verlander helps seal series

BOSTON — The Astros poured back onto the field after advancing to their first American League Championship Series, posing for pictures with the Green Monster as a backdrop before a few players bellyflopped in the puddles in the infield dirt.

They were already soaked with celebratory beer and sparkling wine.

“Both teams were throwing their (big) guys, and that’s what you live for,” Astros third baseman Alex Bregman said Monday after Justin Verlander came out of the bullpen to beat Chris Sale in an acesturned-relievers role reversal and helped the Astros eliminate the Red Sox in four games with a 5-4 victory at Fenway Park.

“When we saw Verlander run to the pen we said, ‘Our horse is on the mound, we need to win this game,’ ” said Bregman, who homered off Sale to tie it in the eighth before Josh Reddick’s single gave the Astros the lead. “That’s the energy he’s brought since we brought him over here. He’s brought an energy with him that (said), ‘Hey, when he’s out there, we’re going to win.’ ”

Verlander, who was acquired for the playoff run after spending his first 13 seasons with the Tigers, gave up the go-ahead homer to Andrew Benintendi — the first batter he faced — before shutting the Red Sox down for the next 22⁄3 innings.

The former AL MVP and Cy Young Award winner earned the victory in his first relief appearance after 424 starts in a majorand minor-league career.

“All the things you would like to do as a starter, I was able to do that,” RESULTS Astros 8, Red Sox 2 Astros 8, Red Sox 2 Red Sox 10, Astros 3 Astros 5, Red Sox 4 Verlander said. “Top to bottom, man, these guys grinded against two of the toughest competitors in this game in Sale and (closer Craig) Kimbrel.”

Verlander, who also beat Sale in the playoff opener, is now 7-0 for his new team.

“Everybody did well,” Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. “Nobody wanted to concede the game.”

The Astros will open the ALCS on Friday.

Carlos Beltran added to his postseason legacy with an RBI double in the ninth, an insurance run that became the game-winner when Rafael Devers hit an inside-the-park homer off closer Ken Giles over leaping center fielder George Springer in center.

Giles retired the next three batters for the six-out save.

ELSA/GETTY Justin Verlander throws a pitch during the first relief appearance of his career Monday against the Red Sox.