On the day Youkilis’ 8 1/2 years in Boston came to an end, Ross hit two homers and drove in five runs to lift the Red Sox to a 9-4 win over the Atlanta Braves.
Youkilis was traded to the Chicago White Sox for utilityman Brent Lillibridge and right-hander Zach Stewart after the game.
“It brought a tear to my eye, that’s for sure,” said Ross, in his first season with Boston. “To see him run off and tip his hat, he had some tears in his eyes, I got goosebumps. Special time. I know how much he means to this city. He won two World Series here, played his heart and soul out every day and just a great teammate. He’ll be missed.”
Before leaving the Red Sox for good, Youkilis was lifted for a pinch-runner after hitting a triple in the seventh inning.
Youkilis was greeted with a hug near the first base line from Nick Punto, who pinchran for him, and many of his teammates as he came to the top step of the dugout.
The burely Youkilis was then urged to come out for a curtain call by his teammates, coaches and manager Bobby Valentine before heading down the steps. He was given a lengthy standing ovation and the fans chanted “Youk.” The entire dugout looked empty, with everyone standing on the top step and applauding Youkilis.
Valentine thought it was a fitting sendoff.
“It ended the right way,” he said. “It was the longest run to the dugout. … I told the players what I was going to do and he did the rest.”
The nameplate above Youkilis’ locker was gone when the clubhouse door opened and there was a lineup card there after the Red Sox’s ninth win in 11 games.
Youkilis was part of the 2004 and ‘07 championships.
“It’s tough because I know how hard he’s played and he’s given everything he has in every game he’s ever put on the Red Sox uniform. Sad,” said second baseman Dustin Pedroia, a teammate of Youkilis since 2007.
Boston completed interleague play with a winning record for the eighth straight season (11-7).
Jason Heyward continued his torrid June for the Braves, hitting a solo homer among his three hits.
Aaron Cook (1-1), gave up three runs — two earned — six hits and didn’t walk or strike out anyone in five innings.
Braves starter Mike Minor (3-6) gave up three homers and allowed seven runs — four earned — in 4.2 innings.
Adrian Gonzalez added a solo homer for Boston, which won six of seven series against NL opponents.
Notes: Valentine decided to give recently struggling DH David Ortiz (0 for 11 last three games) a day off with a lefthander starting for Atlanta. “He said he could probably use it,” Valentine said. With Ortiz out, hot rookie Middlebrooks moved to DH and Youkilis was back at third. Youkilis was given a lengthy ovation when he came to plate the first time.
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