Legging one out costly for Youkilis

Bill Mueller's day off was short-lived after Kevin Youkilis suffered a lower right leg contusion in a home plate collision with White Sox catcher Sandy Alomar in the third inning, forcing Mueller, who has been playing second base, to take Youkilis's spot at third. Youkilis, who was nailed on a tremendous throw by center fielder Aaron Rowand, was writhing in pain behind home plate after his leg jammed into Alomar's shinguard, but he eventually walked to the dugout after being examined by trainer Jim Rowe and Sox physician Joseph Chase.

Youkilis had X-rays and Chase said they were negative. The rookie will have another set today to rule out further injury higher in the leg.

Manager Terry Francona made reference to Youkilis possibly "twisting or inverting his ankle a little bit." Youkilis, who left the locker room quickly after the game, was wearing a removable splint to keep the leg stationary. Chase said Youkilis was walking well and without the use of crutches, though the leg was a "little painful."

Chase was not able to pinpoint how long Youkilis would be out, saying, "It would depend on how he felt when he wakes up [today]."

Alomar suffered a groin injury and is listed as day to day.

Three strikes? The Scott Williamson saga continued yesterday. The injured righthanded reliever, who is facing a second Tommy John surgery, will have a third opinion on his elbow by James Andrews, the well-known Birmingham, Ala., orthopedist, today. The Red Sox were not clear on whether Williamson will fly to Birmingham or if Andrews will just be reviewing Williamson's medical records.

Williamson will definitely miss the rest of the season, putting the bullpen into a pickle considering the number of appearances Mike Timlin and Alan Embree have made. Williamson has received opinions from Sox physician Bill Morgan and Cincinnati Reds physician Timothy Kremchek.

Williamson had his first Tommy John surgery in April 2001 and it was performed by Kremchek and Andrews. At the time, a tendon was transferred from Williamson's left hamstring to his elbow. If Andrews agrees a second procedure is the right course, it would likely mean Williamson would be lost for next season and his career could be in jeopardy.

The Sox were still not making Morgan available for comment.

Sox general manager Theo Epstein said the team was not going to disclose anything yet, but "we have a good idea of what it's going to be."

Foulke's story With a tired bullpen, closer Keith Foulke's workload could increase to include more multiple innings over the final six weeks. Francona said the team will certainly consider the game situation and the condition of the bullpen to make that determination, but Foulke was used in multiple innings in 21 of his 72 appearances last season when he accumulated 43 saves for the Oakland A's . . . Righthanded reliever Curtis Leskanic pitched a 1-2-3 inning against Syracuse with Pawtucket yesterday, and could come off the disabled list tomorrow . . . Ellis Burks did a mean rendition of Prince's "Purple Rain," which was broadcast at Fenway during the pregame. Burks was sitting in the dugout, singing and simulating the guitar with his baseball bat. Meanwhile, his rehabilitation from his second knee surgery this year is coming around. Burks is hopeful he can be a September call-up. "I know I'm working toward that," he said. "I think I'll know more when I start running on Wednesday. The big thing for a while there was to get the swelling down and that seems to be gone." . . . Though Dave Roberts got a pinch hitting appearance in the eighth -- striking out with the bases loaded -- Francona said he's not pleased about the playing time he's been able to give the outfielder, who arrived at the trading dealine from Los Angeles. "I think Dave realizes I'd like to play him more. It just hasn't worked out so far," said the manager.

A brief sit-down Kevin Millar was out of the starting lineup for the first time since July 22d, though he did smash a pinch-hit single in the eighth. The red-hot slugger took some good-natured ribbing from Francona, who was ripped by Millar last weekend in Detroit for being left out of the starting lineup, though he replaced Manny Ramirez, who came down with the flu. "There's Millar, if you want to go talk to him about not playing, go grab him," kidded Francona. "He's already been warned." . . . After a reporter asked David Ortiz about stopping at third and not scoring on Millar's single in the eighth, the designated hitter quipped, "We're not trying to break a record for getting people thrown out at the plate."