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Carl Crawford was benched by Terry Francona for the Red Sox game against the Blue Jays on Saturday. Crawford was 0-5 Friday night, including an at bat leading off the ninth where he struck out on three pitches against Jon Rauch. He was booed off the field.

“They have to boo,” Crawford said after the game. “I’m playing real bad. We’re playing real bad as a team so you definitely understand. You can’t be upset about that. You kind of feel their frustration a little bit. We’re frustrated, too.”

The outfielder, who signed a 7-year, $142 million deal in the offseason, is now hitting just .137 (7 for 51) with two walks, three runs scored, one RBI and just one extra-base hit (a double). He carries a pitiful .342 OPS after Saturday’s game.

It’s Crawford’s first off-day in a Sox uniform, so maybe Francona is hoping the day off will get him on track.

Saturday’s Sox Lineup:

• Lowrie, SS
• Pedroia, 2B
• Gonzalez, 1B
• Youkilis, 3B
• Ortiz, DH
• Cameron, RF
• Varitek, C
• McDonald, LF
• Ellsbury, CF

About KC Downey

KC is the "head coach" of the Sports of Boston, LLC blog network. Follow him on Twitter: @kc_downey

Tags: Carl Crawford, Jed Lowrie, Red Sox, Terry Francona