--3B Mike Lowell left Friday night's game with a right hip flexor strain after hustling down the first-base line during the 10th inning of the Sox victory. Lowell beat out the infield hit, but was immediately removed from the game and SS Jed Lowrie moved over to third base defensively. The third baseman was moved into the clean-up slot when OF Manny Ramirez was dealt to Los Angeles, and should be considered day-to-day with the hip problem. "It's been pretty sore for a pretty good amount of time," said Sox manager Terry Francona. "We'll go down with the trainers and see what the best way to go about this thing is."
--RHP Chris Smith was called back up from Class AAA Pawtucket (R.I.) to take the place of RHP Craig Hansen after the young reliever was traded to Pittsburgh. Friday marks Smith's third stint with the Red Sox in 2008. He came to the major leagues for the first time in his career on May 18, but returned to Pawtucket the following day without appearing in a game. Smith was recalled again on June 17 and went 1-0, 2.84 in three appearances before being optioned to Pawtucket on July 2. He earned his first major league win on June 24 against Arizona. --OF Jason Bay made his Sox debut and used the opportunity to showcase the different baseball skills that the two-time National League All-Star brings to the table. Bay was on base three times, scored both of Boston's runs in the game, made a diving catch in left field and showed some good base-running speed in going from first-to-third when the opportunity presented itself. The solid display of Bay's all-around skill set followed a long ovation from the Fenway crowd in his first at-bat that welcomed the left fielder to Boston.
--RHP Tim Wakefield has a deceiving 6-8 record to show for his efforts this season, and once again watched the Sox bullpen let him down. Wakefield already has six games this season when he left the contest with a lead, but watched potential wins go by the boards when the Sox bullpen couldn't hold it. The start also marks the knuckle-baller's 13th quality start in 22 outings this season. "I've been throwing a lot of strikes and (getting) a lot of movement on the pitches," said Wakefield.
--1B Kevin Youkilis has collected 11 three-hit games this season, and the Red Sox are a perfect 11-0 in those games. Youkilis has hit safely in his last eight games, going 12-for-37 (.324) and is hitting a robust .342 (50-for-146) in his last 39 games. The smooth-fielding first baseman has reached base in 81 out of 98 games played for the Red Sox this season, and has clearly taken another step up in his offensive game this season.
BY THE NUMBERS: 3-4 -- Weeks that SS Julio Lugo is estimated to be out with a severely strained quadriceps muscle.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "We have a pretty impressive collection of (relief) guys that can throw hard, but when you watch a guy like (Hideki) Okajima and the way he can attack hitters -- you realize there's a lot of different ways this bullpen can get people out. I think you have to feel like the ability is there in this bullpen." -- RHP David Aardsma.
