Dustin Pedroia Rejoins Red Sox in Toronto, Bats Third After Birth of Second Son

by abournenesn

Sep 15, 2012

Dustin Pedroia Rejoins Red Sox in Toronto, Bats Third After Birth of Second SonThe Red Sox have soldiered on without their sharpest hitter, but they'll be happy to have Dustin Pedroia back in the lineup Saturday after the second baseman missed a couple of games due to what could be called paternity leave.

Pedroia's wife, Kelli, went into labor Wednesday night, and Pedroia left the Red Sox' game against the Yankees to be with her for the birth of their second son. While all has reportedly gone well, Pedroia stayed in Boston as the rest of the team flew north, missing Thursday night's series finale against the Yankees and Friday night's opener in Toronto.

Pedroia is back Saturday, though, and the Sox lineup will be happy to have him. Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine said Friday what many people were thinking — that this batting order doesn't have much to offer — but Pedroia can change that. He's put together a great stretch for Boston, boosting his batting average and home run and RBI totals over the last month or so. He was 7-for-11 in his last three games with two home runs before taking a couple of games off.

Pedroia will bat third Saturday, and Jacoby Ellsbury (six-game hitting streak) will lead off. Daniel Nava gets another look in the No. 2 hole, and Cody Ross will try to do some damage from the cleanup spot.

Toronto sends Carlos Villanueva (7-5, 3.48 ERA) to the mound with the hopes that Villanueva can repeat his performance from his last time out. Villanueva's last start was Sept. 9, also against the Sox, and he held Boston to three runs at Fenway Park as the Jays won 4-3.

Clay Buchholz, who faced Villanueva in that start, gets a chance to win the rematch. He went a remarkable 8 2/3 innings last Sunday and gave up just four runs but had to take the loss when the winning run came across in the top of the ninth.

Here are the Red Sox and Blue Jays lineups for Saturday:

Red Sox (65-80)

Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Daniel Nava, LF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Cody Ross, RF
James Loney, 1B
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
Ryan Lavarnway, DH
Mike Aviles, SS
Pedro Ciriaco, 3B

Clay Buchholz, P

Blue Jays (65-78)

Rajai Davis, LF
Brett Lawrie, 3B
Edwin Encarnacion, DH
Adam Lind, 1B
Yunel Escobar, SS
Kelly Johnson, 2B
Yorvit Torrealba, C
Moises Sierra, RF
Anthony Gose, CF

Carlos Villanueva, P

Previous Article

Phillies Fan Jinxes Team by Holding Up Sign Saying That if He Can Beat Cancer, They Need to Beat Astros (Photo)

Next Article

Dustin Pedroia Returns as Red Sox Look to Take Second Straight From Blue Jays

Picked For You