NEW YORK — Hitless in 16 at-bats since returning from the disabled list, Jacoby Ellsbury has been dropped from first to ninth in the Red Sox' lineup for Monday's series finale against the New York Yankees.
Ellsbury has struck out just once and did get an RBI on a bases-loaded walk in Boston's 6-3 win in the series opener, but he has struggled to make good contact. Manager Terry Francona believes it may be a matter of getting his timing back.
"Some balls have gotten deep [in the zone]," Francona said Sunday. "Sometimes, and this is a wacky way of explaining, sometimes you just need a hit. It's amazing how it kind of loosens you up, and you get rewarded."
Marco Scutaro will jump back up to the leadoff spot, and J.D. Drew hits second against Yankees right-hander Phil Hughes, who has been hit hard by several Red Sox starters. Drew is 5-for-9 with a home run, a triple, a double and four walks against Hughes, so it's a good time to move him up in the order.
David Ortiz is 4-for-6 with a homer versus Hughes, Victor Martinez is 3-for-7 and Mike Lowell, starting at first base for the third time in the series, is 2-for-5 with one dinger.
Here is the complete Red Sox lineup for Monday's contest.
Marco Scutaro, SS
J.D. Drew, RF
Victor Martinez, C
David Ortiz, DH
Adrian Beltre, 3B
Mike Lowell, 1B
Ryan Kalish, LF
Bill Hall, 2B
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Yankees
Derek Jeter, SS
Nick Swisher, RF
Mark Teixeira, 1B
Alex Rodriguez, 3B
Robinson Cano, 2B
Jorge Posada, C
Marcus Thames, DH
Austin Kearns, LF
Curtis Granderson, CF
