Projo Sox Blog

BALTIMORE -- Jeff Bailey has been recalled from Pawtucket to replace Mike Lowell, who was placed on the disabled list Tuesday afternoon.

Bailey, a first baseman/outfielder, arrived here at 1 p.m. Tuesday afternoon and is in the starting lineup at first base, batting ninth. This is his second stint with the Red Sox this season.

Ironically, Bailey hasn't played first base for the PawSox in three weeks.

Primarily used as the leadoff hitter for Pawtucket, manager Terry Francona actually thought about putting Bailey in the No. 1 spot in the order because of his ability to get on base and swing at strikes.

"Even though he doesn't have a ton of time in the big leagues, I think he has a very mature and a veteran mentality," said Francona. "That's part of the reason why we'll able to do what we do with him and make it work."

At the time of the callup, Bailey was in the midst of a nine-game hitting streak with two doubles and a home run. He batted .353 during that stretch.

T he 30-year-old Bailey made his major-league debut with the Sox in 2007 when he appeared in three games. In 2008 he played 27 games for Boston and this season he's appeared in 24 games.

There was a time only a few years ago when Bailey doubted he was ever going to make it to the big leagues.

"All the time," he said.

-- JOE McDONALD

 Tags  Jeff Bailey Mike Lowell Terry Francona

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