--LF Manny Ramirez once again moved back to designated hitter after he informed manager Terry Francona that his troublesome right hamstring was bothering him. The hamstring also might be affecting Ramirez at the plate -- the cleanup hitter is mired in a 10-for-54 slump (.185) over his last 14 games. The offensive downturn has dropped Ramirez's batting average from .305 to .283 and is hurting a Sox offense that's already light in the middle without DH David Ortiz.
--3B Mike Lowell's season-high eight-game hitting streak was snapped when he went 0-for-4. Lowell hit .531 with five doubles, a home run and nine RBIs during the streak. --RHP Mike Timlin threw another scoreless inning of rehab work for Class AAA Pawtucket on Monday night and has been overpowering during his minor league stint. The 42-year-old setup man hasn't reported any problems with the left knee tendinitis that landed him on the 15-day disabled list.
--RHP Justin Masterson was mentioned in a possible deal for Cleveland Indians LHP C.C. Sabathia. The report stated that Sabathia will likely be moved by the Tribe in the next two weeks, and that Boston's offer included Masterson and several other mid-level prospects. Masterson certainly has raised his stock while performing admirably in Boston's starting rotation this season after beginning the season at Class AA.
--OF Jacoby Ellsbury will remain in the leadoff spot despite his recent slump, according to manager Terry Francona. The rookie was hitting just .176 with four runs scored in his last 13 games going into Tuesday's game, but he had two hits -- including a bunt single that should be a bigger part of the rookie's arsenal -- stole his first base in more than two weeks and scored a run.
BY THE NUMBERS: 80 percent -- The number of inherited runners (12 out of 15) LHP Hideki Okajima had allowed to score this season, through June 29. That was the highest rate in the American League among relievers.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I hope that other teams look at what's gone on here the last five, six years and might think that we're doing some things the right way and that ultimately it comes down to the people. Those guys, Jed (Hoyer), Ben (Cherington) and also Craig Shipley (vice president of international scouting), they're some of the key people in the trenches making the key decisions. I'd like to think that owners look at that, that they might make good GMs sooner rather than later." --Red Sox GM Theo Epstein, to the Boston Herald about possible GM job opportunities for the top people working in the Sox front office.
