Now they're in the running

The difference is noticeable.

These aren't the plodding Red Sox of the past. They have some speed. At shortstop and in center field. Right field, too.

"I think it's a plus for any of us," said shortstop Julio Lugo, who has been given the green light on the base paths in his first season with Boston. "You can't only get a hit, you can get an infield hit. It's easier for a player to get on base when you have a lot of speed. You put a lot of pressure on the infielders when you put the ball on the ground. I know how it feels as an infielder. I know how much pressure you feel."

With the speed distributed throughout the order -- Lugo at leadoff, center fielder Coco Crisp in the eighth spot, and right fielder J.D. Drew, who hasn't used his as much this season, batting fifth -- pressure is put not only on the infielders but on the pitchers.

Crisp's speed helped him out of his significant early struggles, as he started to bunt for hits, including two in a game. " He's been playing with some aggressiveness, which in his case was speed," manager Terry Francona said after observing that Crisp was utilizing his speed better this season.

"There's a couple of bunts he laid down that they weren't blueprints and he beat them out. He's getting good jumps in the outfield."

Though pure speed always helps, Lugo said reading the keys from the pitcher is imperative in stealing bases. That, and getting a good jump.

Lugo had eight steals in April (the most for a Sox player in the month since Johnny Damon had nine in 2002), and has seven in his last 17 games.

His 10 steals in 32 games put him on pace to total 49. And he hadn't been caught.

Crisp emphasized the difference between base runners who go at any time -- the ones who steal a lot and get caught a lot -- and the ones who are more discerning. The first tag doesn't apply to any of the Red Sox, he insisted.

"It definitely makes it a little more threatening offensively," said Crisp, who has been successful on seven of eight steal attempts, including one in the second inning last night. "We've got guys that bunt and run, get on base, and put some pressure on the pitchers to not allow us to get to second base with the stolen base. And it helps the hitters see more fastballs. So it definitely changes the game."

Traditionally, the running game hasn't been a top priority for the Sox. But it's certainly more prevalent these days.

"I think that's a big part of us now," said Lugo, who was picked off first base to end the sixth inning by John Parrish.

When Julian Tavarez came out after the fifth inning last night, it marked the first time a Red Sox starter hadn't gone six innings since before their six-game trip. He came out after 90 pitches and hasn't hit the century mark in any outing this season. "I wish I can pitch tomorrow," Tavarez said. "When you don't do good, you just can't wait till next time you pitch and get some guys out and make yourself feel better. For me, it's kind of tough to sleep and have dinner after the game." . . . Crisp continued to send his batting average up, going 2 for 5, bringing his average to .306 over his last 15 games . . . Manny Ramírez extended his hitting streak to 10 games, his longest since a 27-game streak last July and August . . . The win for Orioles starter Brian Burres was his first in the major leagues.

Jon Lester threw from 120 feet again yesterday, then progressed to throwing on flat ground. Francona said Lester threw some offspeed pitches. He will play catch again today, then is expected to throw his first bullpen session tomorrow. Lester has been working out with the big league club since last Saturday after coming out of his May 2 start with Pawtucket with cramping in his left forearm . . . Mike Timlin, who went on the 15-day disabled list with tendinitis in his right shoulder May 3, was scheduled to be examined by Dr. Thomas Gill last night.

After just one appearance -- two-thirds of an inning in which he gave up a hit, three walks, and a run -- Devern Hansack was optioned to Pawtucket. The Red Sox brought up lefthanded reliever Javier Lopez to take his place. Lopez arrived at Fenway Park at 5 p.m., during batting practice. He had been alerted to the call-up earlier in the afternoon but got caught in rush-hour traffic driving from Pawtucket. He pitched the sixth inning, giving up one hit and no runs. Hansack is scheduled to start today in Pawtucket, according to Francona. "Because of the way our staff has thrown the ball, there weren't the innings there that could have been there," Francona said. "And we got a chance to maybe do more harm than good by having him sit around. He probably felt like he didn't throw the ball over the plate the other night and we're upset. It's just that we want him to go pitch. So if he goes and starts, he can do either when he's recalled. If he just sits, then he can only do one thing." . . . Since the start of 2006, the Red Sox are 17-4 against the Orioles.