BOSTON — Red Sox manager Alex Cora didn't hesitate to use his lefties against Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw, and Andrew Benintendi delivered.
The left fielder had four hits in Game 1 of the World Series on Tuesday night and scored three times in Boston's 8-4 victory.
Benintendi had one four-hit game in the regular season but had never topped two in a postseason game.
The Dodgers' entire lineup was right-handed against Boston lefty Chris Sale. But Cora let lefties Benintendi, Rafael Devers and Jackie Bradley Jr. face Kershaw.
"For the most part we executed what we were trying to do," Benintendi said.
Red Sox take 1-0 World Series lead with 8-4 win over Dodgers! #DoDamage #DirtyWater
Posted by Boston 25 News on Tuesday, October 23, 2018
The 24-year-old Benintendi became the second left-handed hitter to go 3 for 3 in a game against Kershaw.
"Up and down the lineup there's not an easy out. We're going to grind out at-bats," Benintendi said.
Not here for the personal achievements. pic.twitter.com/sWPc8oP2mM
— Red Sox (@RedSox) October 24, 2018
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Associated Press