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It was raining Yankee runs in the seventh (they scored three), so Sox reliever Manny Delcarmen was headed for the shower. (Jim Davis/Globe Staff) |
Red Sox notebook
Lowrie spinning his wheels
Live BP in Lowell is his next step
Jed Lowrie, who continues to rehab following wrist surgery, likely won't be ready to rejoin the Red Sox until late this month or early next month.
Lowrie will face live batting practice with the Spinners in Lowell on Monday, but he's looking at a couple of weeks before he might see action in a major league game.
For his part, manager Terry Francona said he didn't have to "make out our lineup for July," in response to a question about what he would do with the trio of Lowrie, Nick Green, and Julio Lugo once Lowrie returns.
The next step is important, as Lowrie will work out with the Spinners before the Sox decide whether to send him to extended spring training in Florida or to Pawtucket.
"I just want him to get healthy," Francona said. "When he gets healthy, I'll be really happy to have him back. Then we'll figure out what to do."
Lowrie had surgery April 21, when he was told the timetable would be 6-8 weeks. He said yesterday that he believes the doctor meant his rehab would take that long, which matches up so far.
"I think I just want to try to get back into the feeling, more than anything else," Lowrie said. "I haven't been in the box where a guy has been trying to get me out. That's a different feeling when you step up to the box.
"I see the light at the end of the tunnel. I see it coming, but I need to focus on where I'm at right now."
Century club
On a night when Brad Penny was denied his 100th career win, another Sox pitcher got his 100th (between Japan and the United States), and first with the Sox. Takashi Saito got Robinson Cano to fly to left field with Alex Rodriguez on second base, ending the Yankees' seventh inning. Saito then came back in the eighth, striking out Nick Swisher and Francisco Cervelli, and retiring Melky Cabrera on an outstanding catch by Rocco Baldelli. "He gave us a chance," Francona said. Saito had an 87-80 record in the Japanese Central League. "I certainly don't play for the numbers, and there are many pitchers out there with much better numbers than I have," Saito said through interpreter Masa Hoshino. "To put it very simply, I'm very happy today. More than anything, I'm happy that I was able to get my first win as a member of the Red Sox."Put on alert
Both teams were warned in the first inning after Penny hit Rodriguez with a pitch in the back. Francona went out to get an explanation, and crew chief Gerry Davis informed him there was a "heads-up for the series." "I was a little surprised by that," said Francona. "I don't think we've done anything to warrant that. That's not a situation where we're trying to put runners on base. We'd like to get an out." . . . The last time the Sox had three series sweeps of the Yankees in one season was in 1974 . . . J.D. Drew has reached base safely in each of the eight games since being moved to No. 2 in the order. He's 10 for 27 (.370) with 10 walks in that span.Smoltz delayed
John Smoltz was scheduled to make his last rehab start yesterday in the first game of a doubleheader for Pawtucket. However, the game was postponed because of rain, so Smoltz will pitch today. If all goes well, he is expected to make his Red Sox debut next week. Asked about a possible six-man rotation with Smoltz included, Francona said, "We've had a lot of discussions. I don't blame anybody for asking. It's a really interesting subject. I just don't think that we feel the need to do it prematurely through the media. Doesn't make any sense to me." . . . The Sox are hopeful that Jacoby Ellsbury can return to the lineup tonight.Local knowledge
Mike Lowell played in Philadelphia many times as a member of the Marlins. He was asked about the difference between playing in Yankee Stadium and in Philadelphia as a visitor. "They're kind of rude there in the sense that in New York you hear, 'You [stink] a lot,' which I think you can deal with," Lowell said. "They're a little more personal in Philadelphia." Francona, who used to manage the Phillies, added, "When you walk around [Philadelphia] now, you see a lot more red. When I was there, all you saw was green. All you heard was Eagles. Or if they were yelling, they were yelling at you. I think it's probably different. They're a pretty hungry baseball city. They wanted a winner really bad. In my time there, we couldn't do that."
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