Pedro Ciriaco Returns to Infield, Will Look to Spark Stagnant Red Sox Offense From Leadoff Spot

by Dan Duquette Jr. on Mon, Sep 3, 2012 at 2:04PM

The Red Sox are almost done with their West Coast trip, and if they had their druthers, they would probaly avoid going, going back, back to Cali, Cali ever again.

The Sox have lost six in a row to the Angels and A's and went winless in the state of California during the entire 2012 campaign. However, their opponent for Monday's game will be the Mariners, who luckily ply their trade outside of the Sunshine State.

Boston's starting pitching has not been good of late, and the team's starters did not make it through the fourth inning in any of the three games against the A's. Clay Buchholz will try to change that and improve on his 11-4 record this season.

The offense will need to find its way against Seattle starter Jason Vargas, who enters 13-9 with a 3.90 ERA. Boston has been outscored 54-15 over the first six games of the nine-game road trip and has scored two runs or less in each of its last four games.

Pedro Ciriaco will get things started for the Sox, batting leadoff and returning to third base a day removed from playing left field. Check out the lineups for both teams on Labor Day below.

Red Sox (62-73)

Pedro Ciriaco, 3B
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Cody Ross, RF
Mauro Gomez, 1B
Ryan Lavarnway, C
Mike Aviles, DH
Ryan Kalish, LF
Jose Iglesias, SS

Clay Buchholz, P

Mariners (65-70)

Dustin Ackley , 2B
Franklin Gutierrez, CF
Kyle Seager, 3B
John Jaso, DH
Justin Smoak, 1B
Eric Thames, RF
Miguel Olivo, C
Carlos Peguero, LF
Brendan Ryan, SS

Jason Vargas, P