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Sale makes 1st relief appearance since 2012

Bob DeChiara / USA TODAY Sports

After right-hander Rick Porcello managed to escape a couple jams in the first three innings of Game 4 of the ALDS against the Houston Astros, allowing only two runs, the Boston Red Sox went to the bullpen.

They brought in lefty Chris Sale, the ace starter, to keep the 2-1 game in check. It's his first relief appearance since May 8, 2012 when he was a member of the Chicago White Sox. He did the job, retiring all six batters he faced between the fourth and fifth innings.

Related: Chris Sale available out of the bullpen for Game 4.

Sale was used strictly as a reliever in his first two major-league seasons before making his mark as a durable starting pitcher in the six seasons that followed. By 2012, he was already entrenched in Chicago's starting rotation. He made a brief return to the bullpen for a one-inning appearance before taking his spot in the rotation, a role he has occupied ever since.

With rain falling in Boston, there was concern that his appearance in the game could be abbreviated. But, he stopped the bleeding as he pitched far more effectively than he did in Game 1 of the ALDS when he allowed seven earned runs over five innings of work.

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