Jacoby Ellsbury Returns to Red Sox As Jon Lester Faces Justin Masterson

The Red Sox and Cleveland Indians continue an intense series Wednesday night at Fenway Park in a meeting that will feature the return of former Boston pitcher Justin Masterson.

The two teams nearly came to blows after a series of hit batters and brush-back pitches during Boston’s 3-1 win Tuesday. Josh Beckett, who threw eight dominant innings to pick up his second straight win, was ejected for the Red Sox.

The victory pulled Boston within 5 1/2 games of the New York Yankees in the American League wild card race.

Although the Red Sox lost first baseman Kevin Youkilis to the disabled list with a thumb injury Tuesday, they can look forward to welcoming back outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury prior to Wednesday’s affair.

Masteron squares off against Boston lefty Jon Lester.

WHEN AND WHERE

HEAD TO HEAD

PITCHING MATCHUP

Lester has not pitched poorly of late, but he has not been his dominant self. In three starts since the All-Star break, he is 0-3 with a 4.57 ERA. The lefty gave up a career-high 11 hits in his previous start, a loss at home to the Detroit Tigers. Still, he has struck out 26 and walked just six in the losing streak.

Lester gave up six runs in six innings at Cleveland on June 10 in a game that saw the Red Sox take the lead in the top of the ninth but lose it in the bottom half.

The day before that game, Masterson had his best start of the season by throwing his first and only complete-game shutout against Boston. He yielded only two hits and struck out six as the Indians rolled 11-0.

It was the one and only time that Masterson has faced his former team.

Masterson gave up eight runs and 13 hits in 5 1/3 innings at Toronto in his last start.

LINEUPS

STAT SHEET

• Jonathan Papelbon is the first pitcher in major league history with 25 saves in each of his first five full seasons.
• Outfielder Ryan Kalish is just the fourth Boston player since 1920 to have multiple hits in three of his first four major league games. He is 7-for-13 (.538) overall.
• The Red Sox lead the American League with 59 games decided by two runs or less, going 31-28 in those contests.

Indians

• Lefty David Huff has lost each of his last eight road decisions, the longest road losing streak by an Indians starter since Jack Armstrong in 1992.
• Outfielder Shin-Soo Choo is a career .328 (22-for-67) hitter in 18 games against Boston.
• The last 17 Indians hitters were retired in order Tuesday.

BLACK AND BLUE

• First baseman Kevin Youkilis was placed on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday with a tear in his right thumb adductor muscle. He will seek further opinions from hand specialists. The club is hoping that rest will heal the injury, but surgery could be needed.
• Second baseman Dustin Pedroia had a CT scan Friday which revealed significant healing in his broken left foot. He still feels slight pain when he runs. Once that goes away he will be ready to return.
• Catcher Jason Varitek is out of his boot and performing some baseball activities. He remains weeks behind Pedroia.
• Outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury (rib) went 3-for-5 in his third rehab game with Pawtucket on Tuesday. He is expected to be activated Wednesday.
• Righty Junichi Tazawa underwent Tommy John surgery in March. He is out for the year.

Indians

• Catcher Carlos Santana was placed on the DL with a sprained left knee suffered in a home-plate collision with Ryan Kalish on Monday.
• Designated hitter Travis Hafner is on the DL with right shoulder inflammation.
• Right-hander Mitch Talbot was placed on the DL last week with a back strain.
• Left-hander Aaron Laffey is on the DL with a fatigued left shoulder.
• Center fielder Grady Sizemore (left knee surgery) is out for the year.
• Right-hander Anthony Reyes (Tommy John surgery) is on a minor league rehab assignment.

OUTLOOK

Look for Lester to put it all together against a rather weak Cleveland offense and for Boston to build momentum as it approaches a daunting 10-game road trip.