Sports

Red Sox lose Lowell for championship series

Boston Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell was removed from the American League team's first-round playoff roster on Monday and ruled out of the championship series because of a strain and torn labrum in his right hip.

2007 World Series MVP has strain, torn labrum in right hip

Boston Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell has a new role in baseball's post-season: cheerleader.

He was removed from the American League team's first-round playoff roster on Monday because of a strain and torn labrum in his right hip.

Lowell, who was 0-for-8 in Games 1 and 2 of the AL Division Series against the Los Angeles Angels, is also ineligible to play in the division championship series against the Tampa Bay Rays, which begins Friday.

Jed Lowrie's single with two out in the bottom of the ninth inning Monday night scored Jason Bay to give Boston a 3-2 win over the Angels and a three games to one victory in the American League Division Series

Lowell was replaced on the active roster by infielder Gil Velazquez, who made his major league debut on Sept. 25.

In Sunday's 5-4, 12-inning loss, Lowell walked in the 10th and Alex Cora pinch ran for him.

"He's hurting today," said Red Sox manager Terry Francona of Lowell, last year's World Series MVP. "When he finally did get on base, we ran for him just because if there was a grounder in the hole and he can't get to second, that puts him in an unfair position."

Kevin Youkilis moved from first base to Lowell's regular spot at third base and Mark Kotsay was down to play first on Monday night.

J.D. Drew, who hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in Boston's 7-5 win in Game 2, returned in right field after not starting Sunday because of a bad back.

"Sometimes the best thing to do is try to be a little patient," Francona said before the decision was made to replace Lowell. "If you can afford the patience, maybe your patience is rewarded. Now, again, we need to listen to what the doctors have to say."

Lowell's hip injury limited him to one at bat in Boston's last 11 regular-season games.

Velazquez spent the past 10 seasons and most of this season in the minors before being called up from triple-A Pawtucket. He had one hit in eight at-bats in three games with Boston.

With files from the Associated Press