Daniel Nava returns to the Red Sox lineup on Thursday night, and he'll take over the leadoff position when the Sox look to take the finale of a series with the Orioles.
Nava got the night off Wednesday, but he did get a pinch-hit opportunity in the ninth, but he struck out. Even so, the outfielder is hitting .412 (7-for-17) for the month of June with three RBIs. He continues to get on base as well, with a .438 on-base percentage for the season.
He'll be in there against Baltimore left-hander Brian Matusz. Maybe the sight of Matusz on the mound will be enough to jumpstart Adrian Gonzalez, who is in the sixth spot for the second consecutive night. Gonzalez has four hits in six career at-bats against Matusz.
Clay Buchholz gets the start for the Red Sox. He's 5-3 with a 3.26 ERA in 10 career appearances against the O's.
Here are the lineups.
Red Sox
Daniel Nava, LF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Kevin Youkilis, 1B
David Ortiz, DH
Will Middlebrooks, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, RF
Mike Aviles, SS
Darnell McDonald, CF
Kelly Shoppach, C
Orioles
Endy Chavez, RF
J.J. Hardy, SS
Adam Jones, CF
Matt Wieters, C
Chris Davis, DH
Mark Reynolds, 1B
Wilson Betemit, 3B
Ryan Flaherty, LF
Robert Andino, 2B
