The Red Sox got a very rare day off Thursday. It seemed to do more harm than good.
Both third baseman Kevin Youkilis and shortstop Marco Scutaro were scratched from the original lineup Friday night in Seattle, both because of stiff backs.
Youkilis, originally penciled into his customary cleanup spot, was removed from the lineup a little over two hours before first pitch. Scutaro was scratched about 30 minutes prior to the game's start.
On Wednesday, Boston finished playing 20 games in 20 days. That matches the longest such stretch all season. Thursday was a day off in Seattle.
