Boston Drew sits out ALDS Game 3 vs Angels.
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.

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Brewers use Sabathia as pinch-hitter.

Brewers ace CC Sabathia struck out as a pinch-hitter in the third inning of Milwaukee’s playoff game against Philadelphia on Sunday.

Starter Jeff Suppan struggled, giving up five runs on six hits and two walks in three innings, and Sabathia replaced him at the plate to a standing ovation with the Brewers trailing 5-0.

Sabathia, who struck out on three pitches, would be the likely starter in Game 5, if necessary. The Phillies came into the game leading the series 2-1 and looking to reach their first NL championship series since 1993.

The Brewers are unlikely to re-sign the big lefty. The reigning AL Cy Young winner is eligible for free agency after the season and will be the top pitcher available.

Milwaukee traded four prospects to Cleveland for Sabathia on July 7 and Sabathia helped the Brewers reach the postseason for the first time since 1982 by pitching three consecutive times on three days’ rest, including the last day of the season. He went 11-2 with the Brewers.

In his fourth consecutive start on short rest in Game 2 on Thursday, Sabathia took the loss after being roughed up for five runs off six hits in 3 2-3 innings.

Yovani Gallardo came in to pitch the fourth inning.

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Brewers Weeks tears meniscus, replaced by Escobar.

Brewers second baseman Rickie Weeks tore cartilage in his left knee and was replaced on the postseason roster Sunday with top prospect Alcides Escobar.

Assistant general manager Gord Ash said an MRI on Weeks showed a meniscus tear. Weeks would be eligible to return for the World Series if he can play through the injury. He will need surgery to correct the problem, which has not been scheduled.

Ray Durham was to start Game 4 against Philadelphia, which leads the NLDS series 2-1 heading into Sunday’s game. Veteran Craig Counsell has extensive second base experience, while Escobar has primarily played shortstop.

Weeks appeared to jam his knee while batting in the second inning, when he was narrowly cut down at first after a hard-hit grounder to third. He left the field limping after getting tangled with Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard, but came out to play defense in the top of the third. He didn’t bat in the bottom half, and was replaced by Counsell when the Brewers took the field for the fourth inning.

“He got caught up there with Howard at first base,” Ash said. “If you watch the replay, it’s not necessarily the action of tripping over Howard to some degree, it’s the spinning around after he gets 10 feet past the bag.”

Weeks finished the series 0-for-4 against Philadelphia.

Escobar was the staff’s pick to replace Weeks even though he has a lack of big league experience. Considered the potential shortstop of the future, Escobar hit .328 with 34 stolen bases at Double-A Huntsville.

The September call-up has two hits in four major league at-bats over nine games.

“He can play all the infield positions,” Ash said. “They feel like they can move him around enough to make him the guy they want to use right now.”

Posted on October 6th, 2008 by admin
Filed under: MLB Baseball News