Holliday returns with 3-run homer as NY tops Boston

NEW YORK — Matt Holliday once again became a bruising designated hitter against his former designated sitter.

Holliday made a smashing return to the Yankees’ lineup after being sidelined a month, launching a three-run homer that led Masahiro Tanaka and New York over the AL East-leading Boston Red Sox 5-1 Saturday.

“We’ve missed that,” Yankees manager Joe Girardi said.

The Yankees, already holding the top spot in the wild-card race, pulled within 4½ games of Boston. The rivals close their season series Sunday night. Holliday has hit two big home runs against the Red Sox this season. His link to Boston manager John Farrell goes back a lot farther.

When Holliday was 3 or 4 years old, his dad was the pitching coach at Oklahoma State — the school where Farrell pitched. And occasionally, Farrell babysat for the future big league slugger.

“I’ve known him a long time,” Holliday said.

Not that anyone would’ve expected the connection would someday lead to Holliday connecting like this.

“That’s part of life, I guess,” Farrell said.

Holliday hadn’t played in the majors since going on the disabled list in early August with a back injury. He was activated from his second DL stint this year on Friday, but sat out a 4-1 loss. Holliday was greeted with “Welcome Back” by the public address announcer when the lineups were introduced, drawing a rippling of applause. Later, he revved up the sellout crowd of 46,536 on a holiday weekend.

“I’m just glad to be part of the team, back on the field,” Holliday said. “I mean, these are big games. I want to be part of it.”

It was 1-all in the sixth inning when Holliday hit a drive to left off Drew Pomeranz (145) estimated at 443 feet. Holliday pointed toward the Yankees dugout on his way toward first base after his 17th home run — his previous homer was July 15, a tying shot in the ninth off Red Sox closer Craig Kimbrel at Fenway Park.