Coco starts suspension; Loretta starts for 'Stros

Terry Francona said that the Sox will likely suggest Coco Crisp return to the team hotel once the games begin during his five-game suspension. Crisp can take BP, but is barred from team areas -- dugout, clubhouse, even the pressbox -- once the game starts.

Jacoby Ellsbury will play CF in his absence.

Kevin Youkilis begins the night ninth in the batting race as his four-hit game yesterday raised his average from .303 to .313. The Sox bullpen, meanwhile, had a streak of 22 scoreless innings snapped by Reggie Abercrombie's pinch HR off Hideki Okajima, but has a cumulative ERA of 1.85 over its last 9 games. Manny Delcarmen has a run of 14 consecutive batters retired, and is unscored upon in his last 12 appearances (13 2/3 innings).

Jon Lester, meanwhile, has not allowed more than three earned runs in 11 straight starts, going 5-1 with a 2.13 ERA in that stretch.

Here are the lineups:

Red Sox

1. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
3. J.D. Drew, RF
4. Manny Ramirez, LF
5. Mike Lowell, 3B
6. Kevin Youkilis,1B
7. Jason Varitek, C
8. Julio Lugo, SS
9. Jon Lester, P

Astros

1. Michael Bourn, CF
2. Hunter Pence. RF
3. Lance Berkman, 1B
4. Carlos Lee, LF
5. Miguel Tejada, SS
6. Mark Loretta, 2B
7. Ty Wigginto, 3B
8. Humberto Quintero, C
9. Brandon Backe, P