BOSTON -- Josh Rutledge is not the Red Sox's first choice of third baseman. In fact, he's not their second or third choice either. The veteran utilityman is starting at the hot corner due to injuries to three players above him on the depth chart.
And during Friday's 5-4 loss to the Rays at Fenway Park, those injuries caught up to the Red Sox. Rutledge, being asked to do something not typically within his job description, looked the part, committing one costly error and two other miscues.
While the Red Sox have committed 31 errors as a team this season, more than all but one other team, third base has been a particular problem position.