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While Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis, and Jason Bay were tearing up the Rays Saturday night, there were two key pieces of the Red Sox' lineup missing from the action.

Jacoby Ellsbury, whom manager Terry Francona had expressed particular confidence in before Game 2, even with Scott Kazmir on the mound, went 0 for 6. And David Ortiz, author of so many postseason moments, went 0 for 3 in Boston's 11-inning 9-8 loss, though Ortiz did draw three walks.

"Some of his [past exploits] have been unbelievable," Francona said of Ortiz. "With a big bat, those kind of numbers can change in one game. He's always that threat in the middle that they have to respect, and over the course of a series, those things can change dramatically. That's why you like having those big bats."

Ortiz rarely has seen fastballs this postseason. For now, he's trying to take the walks he can get, seven so far in the playoffs. He certainly hasn't been hitting, at .174 (4 for 23) with a .217 slugging percentage. He has just one double and one RBI in six playoff games, hardly what the Sox need or expect from their designated hitter.

"Maybe he hasn't seen as many pitches in the zone as he's used to," Ellsbury said. "If they're throwing you balls, you can't really do anything about it. Hopefully, you just get on base and take the walks as they come."

As for Ellsbury, after starting out hot in the playoffs, the leadoff hitter has dropped precipitously. He doesn't have a hit in his last 17 at-bats, including that stinging 0-fer Saturday night before ceding right field to J.D. Drew.

Source: Boston.com