Carl Crawford had another tune-up in Pawtucket on Saturday and is expected to return to the Red Sox lineup on Monday in Baltimore. He went 0-for-3 in five innings as the PawSox fell to the Durham Bulls, 11-8.
It was the second straight start in Pawtucket for Crawford. On Friday night, he went 1-for-2 with a walk, an RBI and a run scored before exiting after five innings. But on Saturday, Crawford's timing was a bit off. He struck out, grounded out and popped out in his three at-bats.
Crawford struck out on a 1-2 fastball from right-hander Matt Torra in the first inning. He had fouled the first pitch off his foot, causing him to hobble around briefly before stepping back into the batter's box.
In his second at-bat, Crawford was jammed by a fastball and bounced it to first baseman Dan Johnson. The ground out gave him an opportunity to test out his hamstring, though, as he hustled down the line before being thrown out.
In his final AB, Crawford came up with runners on first and third and one out. After working the count full, he popped up a fastball that the third baseman caught on the infield grass.
In left field, Crawford didn't see any balls come his way.
The speedy outfielder was lifted for a pinch-hitter in the bottom of the fifth, marking the end of his night, and perhaps his stint in Pawtucket. Crawford is expected to fly to Baltimore on Sunday and be activated prior to the Red Sox' game with the Orioles at Camden Yards on Monday night.
Crawford left the park on Saturday without speaking to the media.
