Kevin Youkilis slides past Chipper Jones for a two-out triple in the eighth; he was stranded, unable to add an insurance run.
(Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA - There is resignation on the part of Julio Lugo. There is clear unhappiness - though rarely seen - at a situation that has spiraled downward since the signing of a four-year, $36 million contract before the 2007 season, a high point in a relationship between player and team that has been mismatched at best.
But there also appears to be detente on the horizon.
Jed Lowrie will return, though it could take until the All-Star break, and at that point a decision will be made. That certainly could be the end of the Lugo era in Boston, and the shortstop would be foolish not to prepare for the possibility of being released. The Sox would be on the hook for his salary, and he could be signed by any club for the league minimum.
Lugo knows he has been languishing on the bench in favor of a player who is making approximately $8.5 million less this season, a player signed to a nonguaranteed contract before spring training. Lugo, in fact, had not started since June 14 before his name was written onto the lineup card yesterday. He went 0 for 4 in the Red Sox’ 1-0 win.
“When he’s been called upon, he’s actually swung the bat real well,’’ manager Terry Francona said before the game. “Got the bunt down [Friday] night. Kind of feel about him like I feel about everyone else; I don’t want to just let him not be sharp enough to win games. [Nick Green] has played well. Everybody knows the background there. Just think it’s a good day for him to play.’’
But there have been few of those days as the season has moved along.
“If you think about it, nothing you can do,’’ Lugo said. “Tried to talk to the manager once. It’s his decision. There’s nothing I can do. I’m a player. They make the lineup. If I’m not in there, there’s nothing really I can do. I’m going to stay ready, see when I’m playing.’’
The conversation with Francona centered around playing time. Lugo clearly did not get the answer he sought. The answer was that Francona was going to make out the lineup as he saw fit. That has not included Lugo over the past two weeks.
“Something’s going to have to happen,’’ Lugo said. “But I’m here right now. That’s the only thing I can do. Try to get ready to play.
“Let’s not throw wood on the fire. I’m here right now and I don’t want to start a war. Let’s try to let it be for now and see.’’
“If it’s normal to look forward to an injection, I’m really looking forward to it,’’ Lowell said. “I want to feel the relief that hopefully it can provide.’’
He was unsure of his plans after that point, not knowing when he would rejoin the team. He was told that the recovery time after the shot was 24 hours.
Lowell, who has not started five of the last seven games, hit for Tim Wakefield in the seventh and flied out.
Lowell said he should be available today.
“This is an arthritic condition,’’ Lowell said. “How far along or how bad, I don’t know, ’cause I feel pretty good. When everything doesn’t feel flared up, I feel pretty good.
“Maybe I just wasn’t as informed about what an arthritic condition really is because I’m calling [the doctors] in a panic, they’re like, ‘You’re doing great.’ I’m like, ‘Really?’ So, in that sense, there’s no panic on their side.
“They say it’s totally normal. But that doesn’t help you when you’re sitting on the bench.’’
After inducing Chipper Jones to pop out, Papelbon faced Brian McCann, who ripped one.
The pitch was blasted to right-center, where J.D. Drew caught it on the warning track, just in front of Jacoby Ellsbury. Papelbon yelled at himself after the catch, later admitting he was upset with himself.
“When I have my good stuff like that, I should not get beat,’’ Papelbon said. “It was just not located where I wanted it.’’
Garret Anderson followed with a double to center, but Papelbon locked up his 18th save by getting Casey Kotchman to ground to second.
Amalie Benjamin can be reached at abenjamin@globe.com. ![]()



