BOSTON (AP) — Shane Victorino was hit by one pitch in the right arm and another in the ribs. That brought the total to four in four playoff games for the Red Sox outfielder who was plunked more than anyone else in the AL in the regular season.
“Any way to get on base,” said Victorino, who also beat out an infield single to drive in the go-ahead run on Tuesday night in Boston’s 3-1, AL division series-clinching victory over the Tampa Bay Rays.
Victorino will have plenty of time to rest his aching body after the Red Sox eliminated the Rays in four games to advance to the AL championship series. Boston will play the winner of tonight’s game between the Oakland and Detroit.
The best-of-seven ALCS opens at Fenway Park on Saturday, giving the Red Sox three days off to rest and line up their pitching rotation.
Boston will have played four games in 12 days by then, and really only four meaningful games in three weeks since clinching the AL East on Sept. 20.
With the time off, Jon Lester will be available to start Game 1 on Saturday on seven days’ rest.
Lester could then start Game 5 on regular rest, if necessary, or the Red Sox could turn to Ryan Dempster or Felix Doubront, who were in the bullpen for the best-of-five ALDS.
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