Bradley Jr. gets first break from starting lineup

BOSTON -- After a rough weekend in Toronto, Jackie Bradley Jr. found himself beginning the game on the bench for Monday's home opener against the Orioles.

The 22-year-old left fielder went 1-for-11 against the Blue Jays and is 3-for-21 on the season. The Red Sox faced a tough left-hander in Wei-Yin Chen on Monday.

"I'd like to think, no matter who the pitcher is on the mound, I want to face him," said Bradley. "They told me I was going to take a day off, take a little break. It's still going to be exciting to be in front of the hometown fans."

Switch-hitter Daniel Nava served as Boston's left fielder, while Jonny Gomes was the designated hitter.

"Over the last couple to three games, he's been getting pitched to pretty consistently," said Red Sox manager John Farrell. "We just felt like against another very good left-hander, it was a chance to get Nava's right-handed bat in there along with Gomes as the DH. That's where we are on that."