Victorino gets 2 hits in return to lineup

BOSTON -- As Shane Victorino trotted out to right field before the start of Saturday's game against the Astros, he felt a rush of adrenaline. It marked the first time he was in the Red Sox's starting lineup since May 23.

Victorino went 2-for-4 with two runs scored, helping the Red Sox to a 6-1 win. It also marked his fifth multihit performance of the season.

"There is only one place I want to be, and that's on the field," Victorino said. "It has been a long road, and it is going to continue to be, but it's part of what it is."

Victorino, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list on May 24 with a left calf strain, was activated on Friday.

"He steps right back in with a couple of base hits. We all know the start and stop of his season," Red Sox manager John Farrell said. "To have another guy in the bottom of the order right now with the basestealing ability, the baserunning ability, two base hits against a right-hander today, very encouraging."

It's been a tough season for Victorino, who's been on the DL twice and played in just 21 of the team's 83 games.

"Running out today and walking to home plate, hearing the fans sing the song, that's the kind of stuff that you look forward to as an athlete," Victorino said.

"You do everything to get back to this point. Day 1 is in the books. It's all about continuing the progression."