Boston Red Sox

Red Sox Stun Dodgers, Take 3-1 Lead in World Series

What's a little adversity for the Boston Red Sox?

"I've never been on a team where you just get punched in the face and then come back tomorrow and act like they are totally fine,'' Red Sox slugger J.D. Martinez said. "It's impressive.''

Less than 24 hours after losing in 18 innings, the Red Sox found themselves down 4-0 to the Dodgers on Saturday night. Facing pressure like at no other juncture in 2018, Boston clawed all the way back to stun the Dodgers, 9-6, to take a commanding 3-1 lead in the World Series.

Rafael Devers delivered a pinch-hit single in the top of the ninth inning to break a 4-all tie, plating Brock Holt after he doubled off Los Angeles reliever Dylan Floro to take the lead for good.

Each team was held off the scoreboard until the sixth inning when the Dodgers finally got to Red Sox starter Eduardo Rodriguez for four runs -- including three on an emphatic home run for Yasiel Puig.

"(Puig's homer) was a big blow, but everybody was pulling for each other, trying to get each other riled up,'' Steve Pearce said. "This team has a lot of fight, and it was great to see how we responded. Our offense went silent for about 20-plus innings, so our pitchers did a great job.''

Milton, Massachusetts native Rich Hill, dazzled for the Dodgers, pitching into the top of the seventh inning before manager Dave Roberts set off a five-alarm bullpen inferno.

Hill exited after waling Xander Bogaerts and striking out Eduardo Nunez to begin the inning, his team still ahead 4-0.

Scott Alexander came in to face Holt, walking him, before Roberts turned to Ryan Madson.

While Madson induced a pop-up to Jackie Bradley Jr., who was pinch-hitting for Christian Vazquez, he didn't fare as well to the very next batter, also a pinch hitter: Mitch Moreland.

Moreland sent the first pitch he saw into the right-field bleachers at Dodger Stadium, bringing the Red Sox within a run at 4-3.

One inning later, Steve Pearce delivered a solo smash off reliever Kenley Jansen just over the fence in left-center field to tie the game at 4-apiece.

"Sometimes in October we talk about mechanics, and how you feel at the plate and all that, (but) sometimes it's will,'' rookie manager Alex Cora said. "You will yourself to do great things. And it started very simple. A few good at-bats, and then the big swing, and we kept rolling and we didn't stop playing.''

After Devers put the Red Sox on top, Pearce was at it again, delivering a crushing blow with a three-run double off Kenta Maeda to pad Boston's lead. Bogaerts tacked on an RBI single to make it 9-4.

"It was just a great night, all the way around,'' Pearce said. "A great team win. A much-needed win, especially after what happened (in Game 3). I just love this team's fight.''

Game 5 is Sunday night at Dodger Stadium.

Boston picked Game 2 winner David Price to start on short rest over Chris Sale against fellow lefty Clayton Kershaw.

"We're not out yet,'' Roberts said. "Our guys aren't done. We've got our best going tomorrow and we're expecting to win a baseball game.''

But the Red Sox are looking to close out a spectacular season with their fourth title in 15 years.

The game starts at 8:15 p.m.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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