It really can't be easy being Terry Francona.
On Wednesday night, the Red Sox' skipper had to sit Victor Martinez after the catcher went a ridiculous 5-for-5 with four doubles on Tuesday. On Thursday afternoon, he'll be sitting David Ortiz — the hottest player in baseball since the start of May — just hours after he hit a big two-run homer to help give the Red Sox a comeback victory over the A's.
The reason? Well, Mike Lowell has played just once in the last 10 games, and he has just 10 at-bats since May 18. Lowell needs to get in some at-bats, but the numbers also back up Francona's move.
Ortiz is 0-for-7 against A's starter Brett Anderson, while Lowell is 2-for-4 with two home runs and a pair of walks.
Martinez is back in the lineup for Thursday as well. The catcher was held out of Wednesday's game because he would be required to catch Tim Wakefield in the day game. As Francona explained Wednesday night, it would be asking a lot of Martinez to play in both games, considering his toe is still not 100 percent.
Also of note is J.D. Drew's absence. While Jacoby Ellsbury and Mike Cameron have missed significant time in the outfield this season, Drew has been forced into playing almost every day. Monday's scheduled off day for the Sox, plus Thursday's day of rest should give Drew the rest that he needs. Drew, who is 0-for-3 with three strikeouts against Anderson, has played in 50 of a possible 54 games this season.
Aside from Lowell, the Sox haven't fared too well against Anderson. Kevin Youkilis is hitting .111 with four strikeouts in nine at-bats, Dustin Pedroia is .167 in six at-bats and Bill Hall is 0-for-7 with five strikeouts.
The lineup is below:
1. Marco Scutaro, SS
2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
3. Victor Martinez, C
4. Kevin Youkilis, 1B
5. Adrian Beltre, 3B
6. Mike Lowell, DH
7. Darnell McDonald, CF
8. Bill Hall, RF
9. Jeremy Hermida, LF
