The Associated Press

BOSTON - Boston center fielder Johnny Damon is hoping to inspire the Red Sox today when he returns to the lineup for Game 3 of the AL Championship Series against the New York Yankees.

"We're excited to have him back," first baseman Kevin Millar said Friday, when both teams had light workouts at Fenway Park. "To get Johnny Damon back, it's going to be an emotional lift."

Damon was knocked unconscious Monday night during a head-on-head collision with second baseman Damian Jackson while chasing a popup in Game 5 of Boston's first-round series against the Oakland Athletics.

BOONE ON BENCH: On paper, dominant pitcher Pedro Martinez against light-hitting infielder Enrique Wilson is a huge mismatch.

But because of his success against Martinez, Wilson will start at third base in place of Aaron Boone today.

Wilson hit just .230 this season but batted .875 against Martinez. What makes that more impressive is that the Red Sox star limited opponents to a .215 average, the lowest in the AL.

"It just happens," Wilson said. "I don't have any secret. I just try to be aggressive against him."

He went 7-for-8 against Martinez this year.