Situation with Bowden still is developing

The numbers at the tip of Michael Bowden's tongue yesterday morning weren't five, seven, and two: the innings pitched, hits given up, and runs allowed in his major league debut Saturday night.

They were 84, 30, and 18: the number of text messages, missed calls, and voicemails on his phone after recording his first win with the big club.

"Just icing on the cake," Bowden, a Cubs fan, said of earning the win over the other Chicago club.

Yesterday, Bowden was optioned to Pawtucket, a transaction the 21-year-old expected, given his hotel reservation was good for only two days. Bowden will stay on schedule and pitch Friday for Pawtucket, with the plan for him to pitch several innings out of the bullpen that day.

"We've got a kid who's developing," said manager Terry Francona. "He's 21. He's moving right through the system. He's accumulating innings. Going forward, there may be a need at the major league level for a starter, a reliever - we don't know. We'll pitch him a couple innings out of the pen to keep him on his day, but also limit some of his innings and keep all options open for us."

Bowden, informed by Francona of the move in the morning, completed his workout at Fenway Park, then was scheduled to return to Pawtucket yesterday. On Aug. 5, following a short start by Bartolo Colon (two-thirds of an inning) against Scranton, Bowden pitched six innings out of the bullpen and allowed one run on three hits. It was the only relief appearance of Bowden's career.

"It's going to be a little bit different," said Bowden. "It's going to be a fun experience. I think I'll adjust quickly. I don't think it will be too hard."

The Sox brought up 28-year-old outfielder Jonathan Van Every from Pawtucket. In 119 games with the PawSox this season, Van Every had 26 home runs and 70 RBIs, logging a .263 batting average and .884 OPS.

Before the callup, the lefthanded Van Every had appeared in one game for the Red Sox, banging one hit in three at-bats against Baltimore May 14. Yesterday, he pinch hit for Kevin Cash in the ninth against closer Bobby Jenks. Van Every struck out looking on a 1-2 pitch that he thought was high.

"It's always exciting to be playing for a championship-caliber ball club," said Van Every before the 4-2 loss. "You try and do what you can to help them win. It's always exciting playing with this group of guys."

Bowden said he hoped to be back with the big club, possibly later this month if the Sox need another arm. If he returns, he could serve as a reliever, although he projects to be in the rotation long-term.

"I think we all view him as a starter in his career," Francona said. "He's going to be 22 years old. He was in A ball last year. He's had a rapid rise."

Beckett plays catch
With his right elbow given a green light by Dr. James Andrews, Josh Beckett played catch before yesterday's game. The Sox are hoping Beckett can pitch Friday against Texas, although they could move him back if necessary.

"If we need to make an adjustment, we certainly would," Francona said. "The one thing we're more apt to do is cut him short and not let him get real extended.

"If he feels like he's not prepared because of the layoff, we'll just back him up."

Unnecessary appeal
During Saturday night's 8-2 win, Dustin Pedroia turned a single into a double. Pedroia dove into second and pulled off a swim move that would have impressed Michael Phelps, lifting his left arm over the tag of second baseman Alexei Ramirez and grabbing the bag. After being called safe, the enthused Pedroia pumped his arms several times, movements that confused Francona and brought him out of the dugout to protest the call.

As Francona hit the field, so did Chicago manager Ozzie Guillen.

"I haven't been so embarrassed in years," said Francona yesterday. "I didn't know what Ozzie was doing out there. That was the damnedest thing.

"I wanted to go out through the Monster. I didn't want to go back to the dugout because I knew what was awaiting. Kevin Cash is just screaming, 'Lay off the Red Bull!' [Bench coach Brad Mills] is just wearing me out. I could have sworn that Pedroia had thrown his arms up like he was out. I go out there, put my head down, I look up and say, 'Why is Ozzie helping me?' And Pedey's like, 'Get out of here.' "

Target for Colon?
Colon will make his fifth rehab appearance for Pawtucket today against Lehigh Valley. He could be a candidate to appear for the big club Sept. 13 during a doubleheader against Toronto . . . With Kevin Youkilis (flu-like symptoms) unavailable, Pedroia hit cleanup for the second straight game. He singled in the first inning for his 183d hit of the year, tying Del Pratt (1922) for the most by a Sox second baseman. In the third inning, Pedroia grounded to pitcher Gavin Floyd, snapping a string of reaching base in nine straight at-bats. Before the ground out, Pedroia had reached safely in 11 straight plate appearances . . . Manny Delcarmen, who pitched two scoreless innings, snatched a sizzler by Nick Swisher in the eighth that came half a foot away from smashing the righty in the face. Delcarmen ended his 28-pitch day with a 3-2 strikeout of DH Jim Thome . . . Francona said there's a decent chance Mike Lowell, on the disabled list because of an oblique injury, could take batting practice today. Lowell has been hitting off the tee and performing core-strengthening workouts . . . Only three of the nine hitters in yesterday's lineup started in the season opener against Oakland: Pedroia, David Ortiz, and Jacoby Ellsbury . . . Ellsbury started the game with a diving catch of shortstop Orlando Cabrera's fly ball to center . . . Coco Crisp, who had been sick with flu-like symptoms, pinch ran for Ortiz in the ninth and stole his 17th base of the year . . . Francona didn't know whether Youkilis would be available today.

Fluto Shinzawa can be reached at fshinzawa@globe.com.