BOSTON -- Worst Red Sox lineup to face the Yankees in the last two years?

The one Bobby Valentine ran out for Saturday afternoon's 6-1 loss to the Yankees came close, but what about the one in 2010 that had Kevin Cash behind the plate, Lars Anderson at first, Eric Patterson at second, Felipe Lopez at short, Yamaico Navarro at third, and an all-kiddie outfield of Daniel Nava, Ryan Kalish and Josh Reddick?

The difference is, that was Terry Francona’s lineup on Oct. 2, 2010, when the Sox had already been eliminated from postseason play.

The Red Sox who took the field for the first game of Saturday’s day-night double-header were charged with the task of cutting into the Yankees’ lead in the AL East while also gaining ground in the wild-card race, too.

They were not equal to the task, falling 6-1 to the Yankees, who opened a 9½-game lead over the Sox entering play Saturday night.

Valentine on Saturday afternoon started three players who were not on the 40-man roster this spring: third baseman Mauro Gomez, second baseman Pedro Ciriaco and outfielder Daniel Nava. Nava did not even receive an invitation to big league spring training. A fourth nonroster player, pitcher Justin Germano, entered the game in the fourth inning and ended up being the day’s one bright spot, giving the Sox 5 2/3 innings of scoreless relief.

A fifth player, outfielder Ryan Kalish, missed all of spring training with neck and shoulder injuries.

Seven players in the Sox lineup had six home runs or fewer, with four (Ciriaco, Gomez, Kalish and Brent Lillibridge) having none. Lillibridge began the day without a hit in his first eight at-bats in a Sox uniform. Gomez was playing just his third big league game ever at third base, a position he had abandoned in the minor leagues, where he had made 31 errors in 71 games.

“I’m not frustrated,’’ Valentine said when asked about all the lineup shuffling, much of it dictated by injuries. “I think they have a chance to win. Just have to keep them from scoring in the first inning, give the offense a chance.’’

Nava had a single in four trips. Ciriaco went 0-for-4, striking out twice. Gomez had two singles, and drove in the day’s only run for the Sox. Kalish grounded into two double plays while going 0-for-4 and after the game was optioned to Pawtucket. Lillibridge had a single in three trips.