The Red Sox desired to provide Mark Ortiz a day off and that started out a identify for Youkilis against Atl lefthander Scott Slight.
“Bobby sensed like he could help us win a activity title,’’ Cherington said. “That’s the concept, to win the overall activity.’’
In the end, it proved helpful to efficiency. Youkilis provided to a 9-4 success against the Braves and before the overall activity was over had been exchanged to the Chi town White-colored Sox.
“A insane day,’’ said Cody Ross, who owned in five operates with a couple of house operates to departed area. “But it probably exercised fairly well for everybody engaged.’’
The impulsiveness can't be defeat. As the business was about to be consummated, Youkilis was due up in the 7th inning and Cherington sent term to Valentine's to get the third baseman out of the overall activity.
Valentine informed the gamers in the dugout what was going on as Kevin Youkilis went to the menu. With two outs and a sprinter on first, Youkilis hit what seemed like a schedule fly tennis ball to right-center. But middle fielder Eileen Bourn and right fielder Jerr Heyward each believed the other had it and the tennis ball dropped between them. Youkilis, operating difficult in his last actions as a participant of the Red Sox, slid in with a present multiple.
Nick Punto, who was going to substitute Youkilis either on the angles or in the area before the next inning, was cheering for the tennis ball to fall.
“Oh, my. You have no concept,’’ said Punto, one of Youkilis’s better buddies in the overall activity. “It’s a lot better when you get an RBI multiple.’’
Youkilis hugged Punto as their tracks surpassed, then he saluted the extremely cheering audience of 37,565. After being surrounded by his team mates in the dugout, Youkilis took a layer contact at the encouraging of Valentine's, two men who just didn't get along very well the last few several weeks lastly saying yes on something.
With that, Youkilis went down the little tube and up the actions to the club. The name menu above his locker was gone by time the overall activity was over.
For all the emotion on the field and in the stands - and there was plenty - the business of baseball went on. On the day Youkilis was traded, the reasons he had to go were evident.
Adrian Gonzalez, now the full-time first baseman, was 2 for 3 with a walk and a home run. With Youkilis off the roster, Gonzalez won’t be playing right field any more.
Gonzalez hit .254 with a .648 OPS in 18 games as a right fielder. In his last five games, all at first base, he is 7 for 20 with three walks. Returning full time to his regular position could be what gets Gonzalez going offensively.
Ross was in right field for the fifth straight game. He is 7 for 22 with six extra-base hits and 10 RBIs in six games since coming off the disabled list. His return contributed to the trade, the Red Sox knowing it made no sense to keep using Gonzalez in the outfield.
Will Middlebrooks, whose play at third base was what ultimately pushed Youkilis out the door, was 0 for 2 as the designated hitter. But he walked and scored a run and drove in another with a sacrifice fly.
Middlebrooks has driven in at least one run in seven of his last eight games. The rookie has 34 RBIs in 41 games, something not accomplished to start a career since the Angels’ Wally Joyner had 39 RBIs in his first 41 games in 1986. As Cherington said, he has earned the right to play every day.
“Middlebrooks needs to be in the lineup. That’s pretty clear,’’ Cherington said.
The Red Sox have won seven of their last eight games, their rise coming with Youkilis going to the bench and Middlebrooks assuming a lead role. At 38-34, the Sox are four games over .500 for the first time this season.
“We’re playing well now and hopefully it continues,’’ Middlebrooks said.
Aaron Cook got the win, allowing two earned runs over five innings in his second start of the season.
Cook started May 5 and suffered a deep cut on his left knee while covering home plate, putting him on the disabled list. He lasted 79 pitches in his return but felt he could have thrown 10 or 15 more.
“I didn’t cut myself, that was a plus,’’ Cook said. “But the biggest thing was my arm felt good and I got though some innings.’’
Said Valentine: “He worked quickly, his sinker looked good. He elevated some balls, threw inside to lefthanders better than I had seen him. It was a good job.’’
Minor (3-6) walked Dustin Pedroia and Middlebrooks to start the fourth inning before Ross sneaked a home run over the wall in left. Gonzalez followed with a blast the same way, his closer to the foul pole.
Ross added a two-run shot in the fifth, a ball that cleared everything. Daniel Nava chipped in two hits and an RBI.
“Guys are playing hard, not that they haven’t played hard all year. But there’s just that little extra,’’ Valentine said.
The going-away party was a success, too.
“Someone was looking down because that’s the right way,’’ Valentine said.
The Blue Jays arrive at Fenway tonight. Baseball goes on and No. 20 won’t be in the lineup.
“We all love Youk,’’ Pedroia said. “But we all have to move on now.’’
