"Kevin Youkilis will never get used to something that happens to him way too often.

On Monday, the Red Sox third baseman was hit by a pitch for the ninth time this season, the second-highest total in the American League (trailing only the White Sox' Carlos Quentin, with 18). Youkilis was drilled between the shoulder blades by Toronto starter Brandon Morrow in the fourth inning of a 9-7 loss.

"It's not fun. There is nothing fun about it, especially when it's up high," Youkilis said prior to last night's 3-2 victory over Toronto.

Youkilis left Monday's game with stiffness in his upper back and a roaring headache after being hit for the 71st time in his career. He was scratched from last night's lineup as a precautionary move by manager Terry Francona, but will be back at third in tomorrow night's series finale against the Blue Jays at Fenway Park.

"I'm feeling just sore and tight in the neck," Youkilis said. "(Monday) when it happened my whole neck tightened up and it didn't really hurt as much where I was hit, but it was up into my neck and I got a headache."