BOSTON - Jacoby Ellsbury was the choice in center field last night, as Terry Francona continues to alternate the rookie and Coco Crisp at the position for the time being.

Ellsbury had four plate appearances and went 0-for-2 with two walks. One of the walks came with the bases loaded, resulting in an RBI. He’s hitting .178.

“There needs to be some patience involved,” Francona said. “It’s hard for them to live through it now. We’ve got to give it time to play itself out.”

Lately, Francona has been deploying a platoon — with the left-handed hitting Ellsbury facing righties and the switch-hitting Crisp getting to play against lefties — but that’s been more a function of the schedule, some off-days and opposing team’s rotations.