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Red Sox Vs. Royals: Will Middlebrooks Bats Fifth Against Bruce Chen

The Red Sox and Royals will face off in the rubber game of their series Wednesday night as Will Middlebrooks returns to the lineup against Bruce Chen. First pitch is at 8:10 p.m. EST, with broadcasts on NESN and WEEI.

Middlebrooks returns to the lineup just one night after being pulled in the early stages of Tuesday's game with hamstring tightness. It's the same injury that kept him out of an earlier game, but it seems to be minor enough that the team is willing to run him back out there with trust enough to bat him fifth. Through five games this season, Middlebrooks is hitting an astonishing .405/.435/1.000, with at least one extra base hit in each game.

The Sox will turn to Jon Lester on the mound. Last time out, Lester struggled to hold leads but managed to keep the Sox in it with a quality start before they eventually fell in the 13th inning.

Boston Red Sox (12-17)

  1. Mike Aviles, SS
  2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
  3. Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
  4. David Ortiz, DH
  5. Will Middlebrooks, 3B
  6. Cody Ross, LF
  7. Jarrod Saltlamacchia, C
  8. Marlon Byrd, CF
  9. Ryan Sweeney, RF
Kansas City Royals (10-19)
  1. Jarrod Dyson, CF
  2. Alex Gordon, LF
  3. Billy Butler, 1B
  4. Jeff Francoeur, RF
  5. Johnny Giavotella, DH
  6. Brayan Pena, C
  7. Irving Falu, 3B
  8. Chris Getz, 2B
  9. Alcides Escobar, SS

Next Game

Boston Red Sox
@ Kansas City Royals

Wednesday, May 9, 2012, 8:10 PM EDT
Kauffman Stadium

Jon Lester vs Bruce Chen

Clear. Winds blowing in from center field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game time temperature around 65.

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