« A new Sox lineup
Main
Matsuzaka will be watched »
September 10, 2007
David Ortiz was ready for a day off and tonight is an ideal time to do it.
That, in so many words, is why the Sox slugger will not be in the starting lineup tonight when his team takes on Tampa Bay and lefty Scott Kazmir
``He’s known this day is coming. Especially with the pounding he’s taken, I think it’s necessary,’’ manager Terry Francona said if his decision to rest Ortiz and go with a lineup that includes Dustin Pedroia hitting third and Mike Lowell fourth. Ortiz not only has played a lot, the Sox face a tough lefty. Ortiz is 5-for-34 lifetime (.147) against Scott Kazmir, the Rays starter tonight, with one home run.
``I don’t want to use the word desperately, but I think it’ so beneficial for David not to play tonight,’’ Francona said. ``You look who’s pitching for them. You look how you can put out a lineup that will score enough runs to win.’’
T he subject led to a discussion of how the Sox have being using a different style ever since Manny Ramirez went out 13 games ago with a strained left oblique.
``We’ve had a different look,’’ Francona noted. ``I hate to say this in Boston. We’ve used sort of pitching and defense. I know that’s almost sacrilegious.’’
Francona spoke about how the defense has been strong, how his team has been aggressive on the bases and has bunted more.
``Whoever you send out there, you try to win. Sometimes your approach will be a little different depending on who you send out there,’’ Francona said. ``However long Manny’s been out, you haven’t heard woe is us. We still miss Manny, but because of some depth and guys like (Jacoby) Ellsbury and the way they’re playing, it lessens the blow.’’
Ramirez is at Fenway tonight and was working out, but the manager said he had not yet received a report on when Ramirez might return. Francona also said Doug Mirabelli (strained left hamstring) is improving but likely will not catch tomorrow night. That means Kevin Cash will work again with Tim Wakefield.
Posted by Paul Kenyon 
at 4:46 PM | Permalink
Frank Fanelli | September 11, 2007 6:39 AM link
ED VITA | September 11, 2007 8:23 AM link
After blowing the game Saturday in Baltimore and last night's 1-0 loss to Tampa Bay (Tampa Bay?!?) one fact is becoming clearer and clearer: Tito has got to go-go.