NEW YORK (AP) — Ben Rice was in the New York Yankees’ lineup for Thursday’s decisive Game 3 of the AL Wild Card Series against Boston Red Sox rookie left-hander Connelly Early.

Rice did not start the series opener against lefty Garrett Crochet, who struck out 11 and allowed four hits in a dazzling 7 2/3-inning performance in Boston’s 3-1 win on Tuesday.

Before the series opener, manager Aaron Boone said Paul Goldschmidt would start against any left-hander the Yankees faced. Rice batted .208 against left-handed pitching during the regular season while Goldschmidt hit .336 against southpaws.

In New York’s 4-3 win on Wednesday, Rice homered on the first pitch he saw from right-hander Brayan Bello and had two hits along with a 109.4 mph lineout to right field in the third inning against left-hander Justin Wilson.

During the regular season, Rice batted .255 with 26 homers and 65 RBIs in 138 games. He hit .316 in his final 22 games.

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