Terry Francona pinch hit Mike Lowell for David Ortiz in last nights ballgame based on Papi’s poor performance thus far. Lowell didn’t make much noise, but worked a walk as the Red Sox went on to win 7-6 walk-off style. The big news comes because it was a game that was tight, and Francona went to Lowell early in the game rather than letting Ortiz swing. The confidence in Papi is clearly diminished.
Mike Lowell is in the Designated Hitter spot tonight against the Rangers in place of Ortiz. Many wonder whether Ortiz will remain as the everyday player, or if he will resort to a role much like the one he played last season through the all-star break. Ortiz is seen as a player on the decline, and a team like the Red Sox in a division like the AL East, can’t take time waiting for their number five hitter to drive in some runs.
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Francona had this to say:
“He had taken Oliver deep twice.” “Again, we’re trying to do everything in our power to win games. It didn’t happen for us that inning, but it happened later.”
The Red Sox are 5-9 and have Josh Beckett pitching against Matt Harrison tonight at Fenway.
