A mechanical adjustment helped lead to better swings. Gonzalez stood with his legs farther apart, which helped shorten his stride and make his hands quicker.
Manager Terry Francona did his part by using Gonzalez as the designated hitter on a 95-degree day. Gonzalez normally prefers to play the field but didn’t mind the temporary assignment.
“If you had to pick a day to DH, today was the day,’’ he said.
Francona wasn’t too concerned about Gonzalez. He blamed the slump on the travel and demands on the players’ time when they are selected as All-Stars.
“I was shocked. I was stunned at the amount of [activities],’’ said Francona, a two-time All-Star manager. “In the clubhouse, it’s like nonstop. Then you finally think you’re going to get to go on the field and you can’t get on the field. It’s probably too much. I think it takes away, certainly, of the enjoyment for the players of the game itself.
“I’m not sure how to get around that. Maybe it might be too many activities.’’
Trade talk A report by Fox Sports listed the Red Sox as one of the “most aggressive suitors’’ for Mets right fielder Carlos Beltran. But several major league sources refuted that, saying that while the Sox have inquired about Beltran, they are not among those in hot pursuit.
The Red Sox, for now, are evaluating to what degree they can rely on Josh Reddick in right field, with Darnell McDonald available to play against lefthanders.
Reddick was 2 for 4 with a walk yesterday and started in right field ahead of slumping J.D. Drew.
Since being called up in June, Reddick is 26 for 69 (.377) with 12 extra-base hits, 14 RBIs, and nine walks. That he started in place of Drew yesterday could indicate the Sox are prepared to give him every opportunity to take over the position.
Step forward Jon Lester threw 45 pitches in the bullpen before the game, what amounted to three simulated innings. The lefthander, who is on the disabled list with a strained lat muscle, came through feeling good.
“Everything is fine,’’ he said.
Francona was a little more excited than his taciturn pitcher.
“Tremendous. Fine. Really well,’’ he said of Lester’s workout.
Lester remains lined up to face the Royals on Monday. He will throw in the bullpen again tomorrow.
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