Mills ready to manage

BALTIMORE -- Brad Mills certainly didn't want to manage under such somber circumstances - filling in for Terry Francona tonight after the death of Francona's mother-in-law in Arizona. But it's during these "fill-in" times when you wonder why Mills hasn't benefited from being Francona's top lieutenant with a major league managing job of his own.

Mills has been Francona's bench coach for two championship seasons. It appears, based on Mills's description on how the process works and how the two exchange opinions before, during, and after the game, Mills has a strong voice in decisions.

Around the league, however, John Farrell has received more interest. The Sox pitching coach declined an opportunity to interview for the Pittsburgh Pirates' managing job after last season. But who knows whether a more enticing opportunity might come along for him after the season?

Julio Lugo seems to be feeling better every day after his concussion last Friday. Lugo was out running around and taking batting practice for the second straight day.

Sox players were surprised to see the Orioles taking infield practice and practicing cutoff throws this afternoon. The sight of teams taking infield before games is rare. But Orioles manager Dave Trembley, a long-time minor league manager, felt the team needed a strong dose of fundamentals before this brief series.