Ortiz hits some 'flips'

The Sox accelerated their schedule with David Ortiz; the slugger for the first time yesterday hit some soft toss and was planning to do so through the weekend in New York. He said he hoped to be hitting in the cage next week, which of course is terrific news for the Sox. Don't pencil him in your post-All-Star Game lineup just yet, there are hurdles to be crossed, but things appear headed in the right direction.

As for tonight, the Sox will have their hands full with lefty Scott Kazmir, which is not the pitcher a guy trying to break out of a slump wants to face. And Jason Varitek is battling one of the worst dry spells of his career. He whiffed twice last night after entering the game as a pinch hitter, Grant Balfour blowing him away with high heat to end Tampa Bay's 3-1 win, and he is just 3 for 44 (.068) in his last 14 games. His average has plummeted from .295 to .220 in 29 games, as he has batted just .122 (12 for 98) in that stretch. And while he is batting .261 from the right side, Kazmir has been tough on him, holding him to a .214 average (6 for 28 with 1 RBI).

Manny Ramirez, who is without a hit in two games in the Trop (0 for 6, 3 whiffs) and batting just .185 (10 for 54) in his last 16 games, also has found nothing but trouble with Kazmir: 7 for 41, .171, with one of those hits a home run.

With Daisuke Matsuzaka pitching, there was no way Terry Francona was going to give Varitek a second night off, not that Kevin Cash (4 for 41, .098, in his last 15 games) has fared any better at the plate. Daisuke has not faced the Rays this season, and is 1-3 with a 4.09 ERA in five career starts.

With Coco Crisp serving the last game of his suspension, Francona has an all left-handed hitting OF with Jacoby Ellsbury, Brandon Moss, and J.D. Drew, not ideal against Kazmir. "You play what you got,'' Francona said.

Here are the lineups:

Red Sox

Ellsbury CF
Pedroia 2B
Drew RF
Ramirez DH
Lowell 3B
Youkilis 1B
Varitek C
Moss LF
Lugo SS

Matsuzaka SP

Tampa Bay
Iwamura 2B
Crawford LF
Upton CF
Pena 1B
Longoria 3B
Floyd DH
Navarro C
Hinske RF
Bartlett SS

Kazmir SP