BOSTON — A stiff lower back forced Michael Young out of the starting lineup for the Texas Rangers Wednesday night.
Young, who felt his back tighten up during a first inning at-bat in Tuesday's 18-3 victory over Boston, wanted to play in Wednesday's game but knew that wouldn't be the prudent decision.
"I'm a little sore and a little stiff but I'm fine," said Young, who was available to pinch hit. "I've had this happen probably about three times in my career and every time it's been a one or two day deal. It's one of those things where it just gets locked up."
Young, who is on a five game hitting streak, thought about trying to play Wednesday night but didn't want to aggravate the injury. He expects to be able to play in Detroit.
Even after hurting his back, Young hit one of the six Texas homers.
"The at-bats before that weren't too great," said Young, who was 1 for 4 in the game. "The tough part is whenever they say you're a little banged up it's smart (to rest). It's easy for everyone else to say but not easy for the player to say."
Texas manager Ron Washington said Young was coming out of Tuesday's game after the at-bat he hit the home run regardless of the result.
"We were trying to talk him out of taking that at-bat," Washington said. "He said 'Skip I'm going to try one more time.' It just so happened he got the perfect pitch. That was the one pitch they threw he could do something with and he did something with. He came in and said 'I'm through.'"
Moreland returns
Mitch Moreland returned to the starting lineup Wednesday after missing three games because of an abscessed tooth.
Moreland was the starting designated hitter with Brandon Snyder starting at first. Washington said he started Snyder at first over Moreland because he felt Snyder needed to be playing in the field to be more engaged in the game because of his inexperience.
Darvish flies ahead
Texas right-hander Yu Darvish, who starts Thursday, flew to Detroit ahead of his teammates.
Washington is confident that Darvish (1-0, 4.76 ERA) will make strides against the Tigers.
"Tomorrow you'll be pleasantly surprised with what you get," Washington said. "He'll have his hands full with that Detroit lineup. Detroit will have its hands full too."
The Hamilton blow
The seat where Ted Williams' hit his 502-foot homer is clearly marked at Fenway Park. The moon shot Josh Hamilton hit Tuesday, estimated by ESPN at 469 feet, came close to that mark.
Homers like that are nothing new for those who have seen Hamilton play.
"I saw him hit one in Texas that I thought was completely out of the stadium and they said it was 446," Washington said. "That one last night was supposedly 469. There was discrepancy in distance there. It landed 12 rows short of where Ted Williams hit is. I just knew when he it, it was gone. I didn't care how far it went."
