Drew's timely offensive surge led to his first All-Star game appearance, but the Sox have to be wondering what they'll be getting in September and beyond from an outfielder with a chronically ailing back.

Sox manager Terry Francona indicated after Friday's game that Drew took a painkilling shot in his lower back to alleviate ongoing discomfort, and hopes that his erstwhile right fielder will be nearing a return when the team travels to Tampa Bay next week.

"I've been taking swings here and there, and having good days and bad days," said Drew, who flew back to his hometown in Georgia Friday night to attend funeral services for his grandmother. "Some days I take some swings and can't hardly move, and some days I take swings and feel pretty good. So we'll see."

The Sox waiver deal with the Atlanta Braves for Mark Kotsay is looking better and better in light of Drew's struggles to get back on the playing field, but there's no denying the Sox are a better team with Drew's sweet swing in the middle of the lineup.

"I met with J.D. a couple of times with the doctors and got a (painkilling) injection in a point of tenderness," said Francona. "He didn't have a really good day."

RED SOX 7, BLUE JAYS 0: Tim Wakefield baffled the Blue Jays hitters for eight scoreless innings with his fluttering knuckler and improved his record to 9-10 on the season. Jed Lowrie smashed a pair of doubles and drove in two runs, and Kevin Cash sealed the deal when he launched a three-run homer into the left field seats in a power-packed eighth inning.