Projo Sox Blog

BY JOE McDONALD
Journal Sports Writer

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- J.D. Drew isn't in the lineup for Game Two of the ALCS against the Rays Saturday night, but it's not because he's hurting again.

Drew, who played in only 2 of the final 38 regular-season games because of a herniated disk, has started four of the five postseason games. But he was drilled in the shoulder by a pitch by Rays reliever Grant Balfour in the eighth inning Friday night. Drew was able to finish the game and said he was fine afterwards.

Red Sox manager Terry Francona said Drew is a little sore, but with the Rays sending lefty Scott Kazmir to the mound in Game Two he felt it best to have switch-hitter Coco Crisp in the lineup instead.

"You hate to make light when anyone gets hit, but after the way it looked, it was such a relief that it only hit him in the shoulder," Francona said. "Where I was sitting I thought it hit him in the face."

Even though Drew has been hampered by a sore back, Francona said that was the least of anyone's worries because the pitch was near Drew's head. Fortunately, he was able to evade it just enough to take it off the shoulder.

 Tags  J.D. Drew Red Sox Terry Francona

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