Sale won’t be in pen even after early exit in Game 2

BOSTON — Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Game 2 starter Chris Sale would not be an option out of the bullpen despite his underwhelming performance. The Rays battered Sale for five runs Friday, including a Jordan Luplow grand slam.

Sale lasted just an inning and struggled — as he did all season — to get out righthanders. Five of the seven he faced reached base.

“Keep working. We’ve got to work. There’s a lot of people looking at videos, from now and a few years ago and all of that,” Cora said. “He’s the first one to admit it, he needs to be better, and he’s working at it. We’ll get him right, and he’ll be ready for whenever we need him.”

Cora said he’s undecided about his starter for Game 4. He said it will likely be Nick Pivetta, but it would depend on what happens Sunday. Eduardo Rodgriguez and Sale are also possibilities. “We have to make sure we win [Sunday], and if we have to use certain guys, we’ll do it,” Cora said. “

J.D.’s day after: Cora said that J.D. Martinez, who had a bad ankle coming into Game 2, felt good after going 4 for 5 with a homer and three RBIs from the No. 6 hole.

“He hit sixth out of necessity, because I didn’t want to hit him in the middle of the lineup and then take him out because he got hurt or he wasn’t able to continue,” Cora said. “I loved it. I thought about it this morning, and I’m like, that’s pretty good right there. That’s good balance, a bunch of athletes in front of him, guys that they’re getting on base at a high rate, including Alex [Verdugo], who’s been amazing against righties throughout the season.”

When a righthander is on the mound, Cora said he will keep the top six of the lineup as it was Friday: Kyle Schwarber, Kiké Hernández, Rafael Devers, Xander Bogaerts, Verdugo, and Martinez.

Game 3 on MLB Network: Game 3 begins at 4:07 p.m. Sunday and will air exclusively on MLB Network. Fortunately, it shouldn’t be difficult to find: MLB Network is offering a free preview through Oct. 15 on several distributors . ... The Red Sox might wear their City Connect yellow and blue jerseys Monday in honor of the Boston Marathon. “Whatever we wear that day, it’s going to be a special day anyways, and we know what it means for everybody here,” Cora said.