Dustin Pedroia will be back in the starting lineup when the Red Sox take on the Oakland Athletics in the first of three straight at Fenway Park on Tuesday.
The Sox' second baseman was given Sunday's meeting with Kansas City off as he works through a prolonged slump. Pedroia went 0-for-12 in the first three games of the Royals series and batted just .213 (23-for-108) in May.
Pedroia is hitless in his only three at-bats against A's lefty Gio Gonzalez. Only Bill Hall (1-for-5, two RBIs) and Adrian Beltre (3-for-7, RBI) have had more than three at-bats vs. the 24-year-old southpaw.
Gonzalez has held lefties to a .156 average this year, presenting a challenge for David Ortiz and J.D. Drew.
Here is the complete Red Sox lineup:
1. Marco Scutaro, SS
2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
3. Victor Martinez, C
4. Kevin Youkilis, 1B
5. David Ortiz, DH
6. Adrian Beltre, 3B
7. J.D. Drew, RF
8. Bill Hall, LF
9. Darnell McDonald, CF
The Athletics will do battle with the following lineup:
1. Rajai Davis, CF
2. Daric Barton, 1B
3. Ryan Sweeney, RF
4. Kurt Suzuki, C
5. Jack Cust, DH
6. Kevin Kouzmanoff, 3B
7. Gabe Gross, LF
8. Mark Ellis, 2B
9. Cliff Pennington, SS
