Navarro does in a pinch

Red Sox Notebook

July 03, 2011|By Michael Vega, Globe Staff

Marco Scutaro took the high road to avoid Chris Johnson and complete a fourth-inning… (David J. Phillip/Associated…)

HOUSTON - Yamaico Navarro said his first round-trip tour of the base paths was not likely to be forgotten after he hit his first major league home run in last night’s 10-4 victory over the Astros.

But it might not have happened if he hadn’t found his batting helmet in time to hit for Andrew Miller in the seventh inning.

“That was Scutaro,’’ Navarro said, calling out shortstop Marco Scutaro for hiding his helmet in a good-natured prank. “But, really, everything is all good. I was looking for my helmet and he hid it from me. But everything was good.’’

Or that’s how it turned out after Navarro, who was called up from Triple A Pawtucket Thursday after outfielder Mike Cameron was designated for assignment, unloaded on Astros starter J.A. Happ to give the Sox a 5-2 lead.

“He’s an interesting kid,’’ manager Terry Francona said of Navarro. “He can play short, he can play third, he can play second, he can play the outfield. We’ll play him [today]. We’ve got kind of a weird schedule the next couple of days and so we’ll play him at short and get him a few at-bats and hopefully he can help us win the game.

“He’s got some sock in his bat, that’s for sure.’’

Navarro has appeared at six positions with the PawSox this season and hit .258 with 8 doubles, 2 triples, 5 homers, 13 RBIs, 25 runs, and 17 walks in 34 games. He hit .293 (12 for 41) vs. lefties.

“I was really happy to be able to get my first home run here,’’ Navarro said. “It was my first, but I hope it isn’t going to be my last.’’

Ortiz will manage David Ortiz said Francona has it easy when it comes to filling out his lineup card for the Red Sox.

“He knows who he’s going to play every day,’’ Ortiz said. “He has an idea of the number of guys he plays, so he knows what his lineup is going to look like.’’

Ortiz, on the other hand, has discovered it’s not so easy making his captain’s selections for the Home Run Derby July 11.

“I’ve got to pick three guys from all of the best players in the American League,’’ said Ortiz, whom Francona penciled in at first base for last night’s game against the Astros.

As the designated captain of the AL’s contingent in the derby, Ortiz said he has been given a small glimpse into what Francona does on a daily basis.

But he said his job is a little more complicated. Yesterday, Ortiz said he had been informed to consider candidates from other teams, meaning he might have to eschew selecting Adrian Gonzalez.

“Can you believe that?’’ he said. “I’m the captain and they’re telling me who I can’t pick.’’

Asked if was indeed thinking about Gonzalez, Ortiz said, “I know he can hit for power, so I’m thinking about it.’’