News and notes

Worried about Jon Lester's innings count?

Looks like Terry Francona isn't.

Even though Lester has thrown 117 2/3 innings, and appears on pace for around 215, Francona said this morning that the team feels that Lester is a pitcher built to carry a heavy innings load. He also added that the innings might be a bit deceptive, given that one of those starts was in Japan, during what would otherwise have been spring training.

Bartolo Colon went out to throw again today, as he works to come back from the back stiffness that landed him on the disabled list.

Jason Varitek's stars and stripes catching equipment, which he'll wear in today's game, will be auctioned off for Children's Hospital Boston. In addition, the Sox -- like all MLB teams -- are wearing caps with stars and stripes on them today, as well as the rest of the series. They'll also wear them on Wednesday at Fenway.