With David Ortiz a late scratch because of a stiff neck, Julio Lugo filled in as designated hitter for the Red Sox in last night's 13-3 romp over the Indians. Lugo had hit .217 in six previous games as the DH.

``Last year, I think I DH'd a couple of times,'' Lugo said. ``It's comfortable.''

Hitting in the leadoff spot, Lugo went 3 for 5 with three runs and had a triple in the first inning. He scored a pair of runs in a 12-run sixth inning.

It was Lugo's first three-hit game since going 4 for 4 April 21, 2008, vs. Texas. The runs were his most since he scored thrice at Yankee Stadium April 27, 2007, and the triple was his first since Aug. 28, 2007, at New York.

``He swung the bat very well,'' said Sox manager Terry Francona. ``[Wednesday] night he got the pinch hit trying to just keep sharp and he lined the ball to right. He looks like he has spent time working hard. He looks stronger and it's early but he is taking some pretty aggressive swings.''

Lugo was slated to start at shortstop but was switched after batting practice. Nick Green was inserted at short.

``David's neck got a little stiff during BP, then after BP it kept getting stiffer,'' Francona said. ``He was trying to figure out how he was going to look at the pitcher and it wasn't happening.''

Lugo improved his average to .350, safely reaching in five of his seven games this season.

``If I'm going to be DH, that's what I'm going to be concentrating on,'' said Lugo, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list April 4 because of right knee surgery.

So what did Ortiz think about Lugo's supporting role as DH for a day? ``He did good,'' Big Papi said. ``He got three hits.''

Baldelli returns

Saying his strained left hamstring was fine, Rocco Baldelli was activated from the 15-day disabled list, played center field, and went 1 for 4, breaking a 2-2 tie with a two-run single to right in the sixth.

He also made a spectacular diving grab in the sixth to end the inning.

``He moved well defensively,'' Francona said. ``He had some real good at-bats. He looked good. He laid out in center field and came off the field feeling good. He's an extraordinary athlete.''

Van Every demoted

The Sox optioned Jonathan Van Every to Triple A Pawtucket. Van Every, who began the season on the 15-day DL with a right ankle sprain, was called up April 24 and hit .364 (4 for 11) with a home run and three RBIs in seven games with the Sox .

``I saw him hit that home run, and that was nice,'' Baldelli said. ``It was gone.''

Van Every threw a scare into his teammates when he crashed hard into the center-field wall Wednesday night. Francona reported Van Every had no lingering effects, but was examined as a precaution before being sent down.

``That was kind of a scary moment,'' Francona said. ``It looked like he got all twisted up. He admittedly came in [hard] and didn't know what to do and stumbled and just twisted his torso more than anything else.''

Staying put

Francona said Daisuke Matsuzaka, who is on a rehab assignment in Pawtucket, will make his next start Sunday at the Columbus Clippers. ``He'll stay with the Pawtucket team and get his work in with the team rather than fly all the way to the West Coast,'' Francona said. ``It just doesn't seem to make a lot of sense'' to make Matsuzaka fly cross-country with the team between rehab starts. ``So he'll stay with them until his next turn in the rotation.'' . . . Jeff Bailey snapped an 0-for-16 skid with a single to right in his first at-bat. He went 2 for 4 with two RBIs . . . Baldelli, George Kottaras, and Dustin Pedroia each had two-run singles in Boston's 12-run outburst in the sixth . . . In the wake of the news about Manny Ram?rez's 50-game suspension, Francona seemed to wince when asked why the Sox have not had to deal with such distractions. ``I've always liked our team and I've liked the way we've handled them,'' he said. ``The more you concentrate on Baseball, the better. When things arise here - nothing of that magnitude, fortunately - we've handled them and, for the most part, we've handled them as a team and in-house.'' . . . Jacoby Ellsbury (right hamstring) and Kevin Youkilis (lower left side) sat out last night's game. ``I think Ellsbury will probably play [tonight vs. Tampa Bay],'' Francona said. ``I think we're trying to give Youk as much time so when he comes back he's OK.'' As for Ortiz? ``I think David will be OK,'' Francona said. ``He looked a little better after the game. I'm hopeful he can play.''

Michael Vega can be reached at vega @globe.com.