Boston Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine has not been too shy to ruffle a few feathers in his first season leading the franchise. He continued his needling ways Sunday, saying during his weekly interview with WHDH-TV's Sports Extra that third basemen Kevin Youkilis seemed to be less "into the game" this year than in seasons past.
"I don't think he's as physically or emotionally into the game as he has been in the past for some reason," Valentine said. "But [Saturday] it seemed, you know, he's seeing the ball well, got those two walks, got his on-base percentage up higher than his batting average, which is always a good thing, and he'll move on from there."
Youkilis is hitting just .200 on the year, though he has picked up the pace recently. He is 6-for-18 with three walks and two doubles in his last five games.
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