Victor Martinez moves up a spot into the heart of the Red Sox' lineup as they prepare to take on the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Tuesday night.
Martinez returned from a nearly one-month layoff in Monday's opener, going 1-for-4 with an RBI while batting sixth in the Sox' 6-3 victory. It's a good time to move him back into a more customary role — Martinez is 3-for-8 with four walks against Angels right-hander Jered Weaver.
Several other Boston starters in the top half of the lineup have also enjoyed some success against Los Angeles' ace.
J.D. Drew, Kevin Youkilis and David Ortiz, batting second through fourth, are a combined 19-for-57 (.333) with five home runs off Weaver.
Red Sox righty John Lackey is making his return to Anaheim, where he led the Angels' staff for eight seasons. Still, he has faced several of the L.A. starters, who are a collective 22-for-97 (.227) with 20 strikeouts vs. Lackey.
Red Sox
1. Marco Scutaro, SS
2. J.D. Drew, RF
3. Kevin Youkilis, 1B
4. David Ortiz, DH
5. Victor Martinez, C
6. Adrian Beltre, 3B
7. Jed Lowrie, 2B
8. Mike Cameron, CF
9. Jeremy Hermida, LF
Angels
1. Maicer Izturis, SS
2. Alberto Callaspo, 3B
3. Bobby Abreu, RF
4. Torii Hunter, CF
5. Hideki Matsui, DH
6. Mike Napoli, C
7. Howie Kendrick, 2B
8. Juan Rivera, LF
9. Jeff Mathis, C
