Projo Sox Blog

By Joe McDonald
Journal Sports Writer

ARLINGTON, Texas _ Since David Ortiz was hitting a lowly .103 in his last 10 games, manager Terry Francona dropped the slumping slugger to the No. 7 spot in the order for Friday's game against the Rangers.

Francona said he spoke Ortiz Friday morning about the decision and said both were fine with the move.

"I'm hitting like [expletive] that's why," said Ortiz.

Earlier this season Ortiz was in the midst of a horrible skid until he started to come around midseason. Now that it's August and the Sox are trailing the Yankees in the A.L. East and are in a tight wild-card race with the Rangers, Francona wants the best lineup on the field.

"We've got ourselves to a time of the year where sometimes you ask guys to look past their own personal [achievements]," said Francona. "Let's just do everything in our power to win every game we can."

Francona pointed to Mike Lowell as an example. Because the veteran third baseman has been hampered by his surgically-repaired hip at times this season, he's been given more days off already in the second half, which Lowell hasn't been too comfortable with since he's producing offensively.

"He's been nothing but a pro," said Francona. "We're just trying to put the best lineup out there. I did talk to David about it and he's okay."

Francona feels Ortiz is a threat no matter where he hits in the order.

"They still have to pitch to David I don't care where he hits," he said. "They know who he is and I think it makes our lineup better."

 Tags  David Ortiz Mike Lowell Terry Francona

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