By MaureenMullen
CSNNE.com
BOSTONWhen Carl Crawford was hit by a Brett Anderson fastball, on the second pitch of his second at-bat, it raised a few eyebrowsand a few hackles.
It was just the third time Crawford, whose open stance doesnt crowd the plate, had been hit by a pitch this season, and the 35th time in his career. The most hes been plunked in a season was eight times in 2009 while with the Rays.
But in his previous at-bat Sunday afternoon, with no outs, David Ortiz on second and Jed Lowrie on first in the second inning, Crawford turned on an Anderson slider and deposited it into the Red Sox bullpen for his fifth home run of the season, and first at Fenway. It also gave the Sox a 3-0 lead.
Adding to the reason for questions, right-hander John Lackey, coming off the disabled list to make his first start since May 11, hit the third batter he faced, left-handed hitter David DeJesus, on the foot with a cutter in the first inning.
I don't know if it was intentional, said Crawford, who Anderson hit on the back of the right hand. But I know we watch video and he doesn't throw inside to lefties much. So that's all I can say about that.
But he did have a few words for Anderson as he made his way to first base.
Boston Red Sox
I'll just leave that on the field, Crawford said.
Anderson made no reply, Crawford said.
The thought did occur to Crawford, though, that it might have been than a pitch that got away from the Oakland left-hander.
Oh, it's the reaction when you get hit like that right after you hit a home run off a guy, he said. You know his tendencies and you know the guy doesn't usually do that that often. So obviously thoughts are going to creep in your head. 'Did he do it intentionally?' I don't know, but I just hope he don't do that again.
Initially and on replays, it appeared Crawford got hit in the back of the shoulder. But that was not the case.
Everybody thinks it hit me on the back, but it hit me right on the top of my right hand, right on the bone, he said. I'm going to get it iced and hope that it's not sore tomorrow or, definitely, the day after.
After Crawford was hit, giving each starting pitcher one hit batter, home plate umpire Larry Vanover issued warnings to both benches. Lackey, though hit two more battersright-handed hitters Kurt Suzuki on a 1-and-2 cutter in fourth and Conor Jackson on a first-pitch cutter, with both eventually coming around to scoreand no penalties were imposed.
Manager Terry Francona thought the umpires took the right approach.
I thought they did a pretty good job of recognizing that you got to pitch in, Francona said. One hit his shirt. It wasnt like, when you start throwing balls behind guys and stuff you put an umpire in an unenviable position. But those balls, they were just in.
Maureen Mullen is on Twitter athttp:twitter.commaureenamullen