The game was essentially already over when the New York Yankees sent catcher Austin Romine to the mound in the ninth inning of Monday's blowout Game 3 of the American League Division Series.While they were just playing out the string and preserving the bullpen Guillermo Heredia Jersey , Brock Holt had history to make.Holt launched a two-run homer into the right-field stands to cap off the scoring in the Boston Red Sox's overwhelming 16-1 victory at Yankee Stadium. In doing so, he became the first player in Major League Baseball history to hit for the cycle in a playoff game, per MLB Stat of the Day.Bleacher Report BleacherReport馃毃 FIRST CYCLE IN MLB POSTSEASON HISTORY 馃毃(via MLB)JrM7J1JyeNDavid Schoenfield of ESPN noted this isn't the first time the Red Sox second baseman hit for the cycle, as he did so in 2015 against the Atlanta Braves as well.He said it was the first time he attempted to go deep in his career, but his success suggests he should have tried it in the past:Pete Abraham PeteAbeHolt said he went up in the ninth trying to homer. Moved up in the box and let it fly. Said it was the first time in his career he was trying to hit a homer.It highlighted a record-breaking performance from the offense. According to David Adler of MLB.com, Boston set the all-time record for runs scored against the Bronx Bombers in a playoff contest (previously held by the Arizona Diamondbacks with 15 in Game 6 of the 2001 World Series) and its own franchise record for runs scored in a postseason game.Much of Boston's damage came in a seven-run fourth inning, which Holt appropriately started off with a single. He added a two-run triple later in the frame to break open the game at 10-0.His double was also of the RBI variety and came in the eighth inning.The offensive explosion was notable for the Red Sox http://www.marinersfanproshop.com/authentic-ben-gamel-jersey , but it was also a continuation of what they did throughout the season. They led the league in runs scored and feature MVP candidates in Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez alongside impressive contributors such as Holt.Perhaps more importantly in terms of their World Series fortunes, the Red Sox received a notable pitching performance from a starter other than Chris Sale. That remains an October concern since David Price sports a 5.28 playoff ERA and Rick Porcello's checks in at 5.33, but Nathan Eovaldi threw a gem with one earned run and five hits allowed in seven innings.It is not difficult to envision the Red Sox winning the World Series if Eovaldi continues to pitch like that in support of Sale and Holt continues to hit like he did Monday in support of Betts and Martinez. SEATTLE — The Houston Astros on Monday night concluded what was their longest stretch without All-Star second baseman Jose Altuve since he made his debut as a 21-year-old on July 20, 2011.Altuve will be reinstated from the 10-day disabled list Tuesday and will rejoin the starting lineup following a 21-game hiatus caused by right knee discomfort when Houston visits the Seattle Mariners.Altuve exited in the fifth inning July 25 against the Colorado Rockies in Denver. He landed on the DL for the first time in his decorated eight-year career later that week. The Astros (75-50) dropped the opener of their three-game series with the Seattle Mariners on Monday and fell to 8-13 without Altuve.Article continues below ...Altuve made one rehab assignment start Sunday for Triple-A Fresno at Tacoma, finishing 1-for-3 with a hit by pitch. He got all the requisite work in advance of his return to action and declared himself fit to play following what has been an unusual experience.“That was my first Triple-A game. Believe it or not, I was a little excited,” said Altuve Mike Marjama Jersey , who made the jump to the majors from Double-A Corpus Christi. “It’s been a long time since I played in the minor leagues … but I know this was just part of my rehab.“I have what I was looking to have.”Said Astros manager A.J. Hinch: “He had a successful day of building some confidence and getting himself active where he could test himself. He did just about everything: he got a hit, he got on the bases, he made a hard turn, he sprinted to second base on a bloop single. They were reaction plays that we can’t really simulate in early work. It takes game competition to do that.”For the first time this season, the Astros will utilize a sixth starter. Hinch has declared the second game of the series a bullpen day, with right-hander Brad Peacock (2-4, 3.19 ERA) slated to get the start against Seattle. The rotation void was created when right-hander Lance McCullers was placed on the 10-day disabled list with a right forearm strain Aug. 5.Peacock is 5-4 with a 4.42 ERA in 15 games (nine starts) versus Seattle http://www.marinersfanproshop.com/authentic-mitch-haniger-jersey , including four scoreless relief appearances over 5 1/3 innings this season.Right-hander Mike Leake (8-7, 3.90 ERA) will start for the Mariners. Leake has recorded six consecutive quality starts, going 0-1 with a 2.54 ERA during that stretch. Despite allowing only two hits and one walk over eight scoreless innings in his previous outing against the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday, Leake did not factor into the decision. He is 6-6 with a 3.67 ERA over 15 career appearances (13 starts) against the Astros, including 0-2 with a 5.00 ERA this season.The Mariners (72-54) pulled to within 3 1/2 games of Houston and the Athletics in the American League West after rallying for a 7-4 victory in the series opener. The Mariners have won five consecutive games against the slumping Astros, who have dropped eight of 10 to fall back into a tie with the Athletics atop the division.Closer Edwin Diaz has saved each of the last six Seattle victories over the Astros and matched the franchise record with his 48th save Monday.