BOSTON -- In the moments leading up to one of their most clutch moments of the season, the Red Sox employed a rare strategy: pinch-hitting for a pinch hitter.

With righty Ryan Tepera pitching for the Blue Jays up 2-1 in the seventh inning Tuesday, Sox manager Alex Cora decided to pinch-hit for Sandy Leon and initially sent Mitch Moreland to the on-deck circle. When Toronto pitching coach Pete Walker went out for a mound visit, Cora pulled back Moreland and sent out Brock Holt to hit with runners on the corners.

"I can't remember the last time I went on deck to pinch hit and got called back from a pinch hit spot," Moreland said. "That was a new one for me."

Holt took advantage of his opportunity, hitting a three-run home run to right field that gave Boston a 4-2 lead in an eventual 7-2 lead that would clinch a playoff berth. The utilityman said his homer was the most fun one he had ever hit, adding the caveat that there aren't many to choose from (17 in seven seasons).

"We try to stay ready the best we can down in the batting cage throughout the game," Holt said. "Mitch was on deck there and I figured he would hit, but they made a change. I did my best to stay ready and was able to do something good for the team. Any time you can help out, it's a good night."

Cora admitted the game "sped up on him" a little in the seventh, adding that he noticed a left-hander warming in the Jays' bullpen after he sent Moreland on deck. Not wanting to have Moreland face a lefty, Cora decided to send Holt-- knowing he could counter with Brandon Phillips if Toronto did make a move.

"We joke around sometimes, with decisions I make and decisions I don't make," Cora said. "We have that trust. They can get on me and make fun of me the same way I can make fun of them. It was just one of those where I felt it was the right move there."

Holt was hitting in the batting cage, trying to stay loose in case he was called upon to hit. After seeing Moreland on deck, he assumed his chance wouldn't come until later. That's when he was told he was hitting and raced to put on his helmet and shinguard.

"Pinch-hitting is hard," Holt said. "You go up there and try to put together a good at-bat. I was able to do that, get a good pitch, put a good swing on it. Fortunately for me, it went out."

Holt's heroic pinch-hit homer was his second of the season, joining an Aug. 14 blast that gave Boston a 2-1 lead (and eventual win) in Philadelphia. He's the first Sox player ever to hit multiple go-ahead, pinch-hit home runs in the same season.

"I guess I'd rather be in there from the start than come in and pinch hit," Holt said.

But if I keep hitting homers, then I'll take it."