Jason Varitek
Varitek finding his groove at the plate
August 20, 2008 | RedSox.com | By Ian Browne
BALTIMORE -- For the first time in recent memory, Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek might actually be able to enjoy a day off.
Despite the catcher's recent offensive breakout, manager Terry Francona will stick with his plan of giving Varitek a rest on Wednesday night and have Kevin Cash catch the struggling Clay Buchholz.
"I think he's mad at me right now," said Red Sox manager Terry Francona. "But I don't think that's in his best interest. We'll run him right into the ground. We'll let him come into the game later. He just can't catch every day. Because [Tim Wakefield] is gone, he can't catch every day. That won't work."
But what finally is working for Varitek is his swing. Maybe it's the crab cakes. Clearly, something has clicked for Varitek in the first two games of this three-game set at Camden Yards. After belting a homer on Monday -- his first since July 21 -- Varitek again left the yard on Tuesday night and later added an RBI double.
Coming into the series, Varitek had driven in just one run in August.
"A lot adds to it," said Varitek. "I'm just trying to continue to solidify and simplify things, because I can make things very complicated. I can. It's the truth. I'm my own worst enemy at times."
As much as Varitek does for the Red Sox on defense, when he is providing thump with his switch-hitting bat, it is a big boost for his team.
"He's swinging the bat real well and he needs that," said Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia. "It's good for him. Everyone goes through a tough stretch in the season. His is just longer than a lot of people. He'll be fine. He'll get back on track, and hopefully the last 30-something games, he can go on a tear."
"I've had competitive at-bats. I went through that month-and-a-half stretch, or whatever it was, where I had some pretty doggone feeble at-bats. But I do that to myself. I've always done it. Just usually it's not lasted that long."