BOSTON (AP) - J.D. Drew, who hit the decisive home run for Boston in the second game of the playoff series against the Los Angeles Angels, was not in the lineup for Game 3 on Sunday night because of his ailing back.
Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell returned to the lineup after missing Game 2 with a hip injury. But Drew, who did not play from Aug. 17 until Sept. 24, was given a day off to rest after playing two games in three days.
The Red Sox tried for a sweep Sunday night.
"J.D. is physically doing pretty well," Boston manager Terry Francona said. "I know normally you get to this time of year and you send eight or nine guys out there and just stay with it. I don't know that, the way we're built right now, that's the best way to do it."
Angels manager Mike Scioscia dropped second baseman Howie Kendrick, who spent most of his time this season batting seventh, to eighth in the order. Kendrick was hitless in his first nine at-bats of the series. |