While a 71-game stretch is a minuscule sample size to evaluate what Lowrie will eventually settle into as an offensive player, the 24-year-old has been better than advertised while roaming the infield at shortstop.

Lowrie has played error-free ball in 43 games at shortstop, and he is flashing more-than-adequate range at the position. The range is due, in part, to Lowrie's studious attention to scouting reports and detail, which he then mixes with baseball instincts honed from a lifetime playing the game.

"He's always had really good, soft hands and a lot of it has been about putting himself in the proper position when he sets himself," Sox first base/infield coach Luis Alicea said. "The study in his film and the studying of the hitters have definitely done a lot to increase his range."

While Lowrie certainly may be better than originally given credit for, the cerebral switch hitter has taken full advantage of the voluminous resources available to him.

In some ways, studying video of hitting tendencies and swing paths in particular counts against certain pitchers has allowed Lowrie to "cheat" at his defensive position. Lowrie pointed to a perfect example earlier this season when scouting reports told him to shade Toronto first baseman Lyle Overbay toward the middle of the diamond.

Overbay hit a hot-shot liner that Lowrie was in perfect position to snare -- a ball that would have been a difficult diving play if he had positioned himself normally and very likely would have been a hit.

It's the living, breathing example of the preparation that all Sox infielders go over with Alicea prior to a game, and it's something that's augmented Lowrie's glove game since he donned a Red Sox uniform.

"Before every game, Luis and I will go over kind of a 'cheat sheet' scouting report on every player on the other team," said Lowrie. "You go over spray charts and tendencies, and then after that you just kind of go on feel as to how he's swinging the bat and how the pitcher is throwing.

"There's simply no comparison between the information I have now and what I had in the minor leagues."

RAYS 10, RED SOX 3: RHP Tim Wakefield watched his career record at Tropicana Field tumble to 9-3 when he was rocked for three home runs and six runs in a fitful 2 1/3 innings. DH David Ortiz smacked a pair of home runs, but that accounted for all of Boston's offense in a losing effort that dropped them two games back in the AL East.