Daniel Nava will make his first start for the Red Sox in exactly one month when he plays left field in the finale of a three-game series with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
The 27-year-old Nava came off the bench Wednesday to push across the go-ahead run in the bottom of the seventh inning when he was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. He then made a diving catch to end the top of the eighth with two runners on, preserving the lead en route to a 7-5 win.
Nava's last start came in Oakland on July 19.
Elsewhere in the lineup, David Ortiz and Victor Martinez continue to be flip-flopped in the third and fourth spots. Martinez is in the cleanup role Thursday against Angels right-hander Ervin Santana. The Boston catcher is 6-for-13 (.462) with a home run vs. Santana.
The rest of the Red Sox' order is a combined 27-for-120 (.225) against Santana, who allowed a run on seven hits in seven innings at Fenway Park on May 4.
Dustin Pedroia was a late scratch for Boston, as he was experiencing pain in his left foot. He will be replaced by Jed Lowrie in the lineup.
Here is the complete lineup for Boston, which is looking to improve to 10-0 this season against Anaheim:
Marco Scutaro, SS
Jed Lowrie, 2B
David Ortiz, DH
Victor Martinez, C
Adrian Beltre, 3B
J.D. Drew, RF
Mike Lowell, 1B
Ryan Kalish, CF
Daniel Nava, LF
