BOSTON - Red Sox manager Terry Francona last night gave J.D. Drew the night off.

The Sox’ right fielder had been scorching at the plate this month – until his last five games. Drew is hitless in his last 13 at-bats, but has hit safely in 17 of 22 games in June with 10 homers and 23 RBI.

During the club’s recent home stand, Drew is 2 for his last 19.

“I thought it was the right thing to do,” said Francona. “The two days will be huge for him.”

Francona does a good job giving players a day off here and there. It’s not like he wakes up in the morning and makes that decision. He will discuss it with the player and his staff before making a lineup change.

Giving players a day off don’t always work for everyone’s benefit.

When Francona was managing in Philadelphia in the late 90s, he spoke with Scott Rolen a week before he wanted to give him a certain Sunday game off. The two agreed it would be the best thing for the player and the club.

Well, the day before Rolen approached Francona and explained the Phillies had scheduled Scott Rolen Bobblehead Day in Philadelphia. Francona, knowing Rolen desperately needed a day off, didn’t relent and stayed with the original plan. The manager was criticized for sitting the fan favorite, but he earned more respect from Rolen and the rest of the players in the clubhouse.