Papelbon hurt in win over Blue Jays

The night had begun with a sigh of relief -- David Ortiz's heart had checked out normal -- but soon thereafter came the somber announcement that Jon Lester, Boston's prized rookie lefthander, had been diagnosed with cancer.

It ended with Jonathan Papelbon, the team's prized closer and a leading candidate for American League rookie of the year, clutching his right shoulder in pain, two outs away from a 2-1 victory the Sox claimed over the Toronto Blue Jays.

There was a P.S. of more bad news: Curt Schilling, who hadn't missed one of his previous 29 turns in the rotation, will miss his next start, Monday against the Chicago White Sox, because of a strained side muscle.

``My situation [after Lester's diagnosis] makes it seem like no big deal," Papelbon said in a Sox clubhouse that was missing the customary boom box blaring after a victory. ``There is so much bigger things in life going on than a small injury like I've got. That's minuscule compared to what Jon is going through right now.

``The good thing with him, they say it's curable and treatable. They're expecting him to be in spring training with us next year, so obviously there will be support and prayers going out to him."

Still, on what was undoubtedly the finest night of Kyle Snyder's career -- he shut out the Blue Jays on two hits for seven innings while striking out eight -- there was undisguised concern for Papelbon, who went into a crouch behind the mound after throwing a 1-and-2 pitch to Lyle Overbay with one out and runners on second and third, Papelbon having allowed two singles and making a throwing error on an attempted pickoff.

``Basically, I felt it a couple of pitches before," said Papelbon, who had not pitched in six days before collecting a save in Oakland Wednesday afternoon but was appearing in his third game in three days, something he has done on four previous occasions this season.

``Right now, we don't really know what's going on," he said. ``It's basically some sort of strain in the front of my shoulder. That's basically what we're looking at.

``The doctors and the trainers think it's just a fatigue issue, which hopefully it is and I'll be back in a few days. That would be a best-case scenario. That's what I'm looking for and hoping for."

Papelbon told manager Terry Francona he'd felt ``a burning sensation" in his shoulder. Francona, who'd gone quickly to the mound with trainer Paul Lessard, immediately took Papelbon out. Craig Breslow, just called up yesterday, struck out Overbay, and Mike Timlin, after allowing an infield hit to Alex Rios that gave Toronto its only run, finished the game by inducing Bengie Molina to ground out to shortstop Alex Cora.

``It was scary," Papelbon said, ``just because of the fact when you throw a pitch and you let it go and you feel something that's not normal, panic starts to set in, obviously. I knew something was wrong and I should come out of the game. I looked at the bench. They knew."

Papelbon has made a staff-high 59 appearances this season, pitching 68 1/3 innings. Last season, which he began in Double A Portland, Papelbon appeared in 38 games, 21 of which were starts, and threw 148 2/3 innings. This is the first time, he's said, that's he had any arm trouble.

``I've been pretty healthy my entire career," he said. ``I'm going to come in tomorrow, get it checked out again. Hopefully, I'll get a little bit of strength back overnight. If not, we'll do an MRI or something like that."

Francona said Papelbon had not reported any discomfort before the game. ``I wouldn't have pitched him," he said.

The 25-year-old righthander said he felt fine coming into the game.

``It felt normal, just like every other day going about my business," he said. ``Hopefully, I'll bounce back pretty quick. I've bounced back pretty quick in the past, so we'll see what happens."

Mike Lowell hit his 17th home run to give the Sox a 1-0 lead in the second against lefthander Ted Lilly, whom the Sox this week had claimed on waivers but couldn't work out a deal for with Toronto. Former Blue Jay Eric Hinske hit a two-out double in the fifth, went to third on a wild pitch, and scored what proved to be the winning run when Lilly balked.