Verlander makes 1st career relief appearance in Game 4

The Houston Astros are going for the jugular.

Two innings after Boston Red Sox ace Chris Sale made a rare relief appearance in Game 4 of the ALDS, the Houston Astros countered by shockingly calling on Justin Verlander - their scheduled starter for a potential Game 5 - to make his first career relief appearance with one out in the bottom of the fifth inning and the Astros holding a 2-1 lead.

Including his postseason career, Verlander had pitched in 402 career games as a professional - all of them starts. His 385 regular-season appearances without working in relief rank third in baseball history.

The move did not pay off, as the first batter Verlander faced in relief, Andrew Benintendi, crushed a two-run homer to right field that put the Red Sox on top 3-2.