``I guess I always consider doing what's in our team's best interest, I just think it does more harm than good,'' Francona said. ``We've had pretty much a set lineup . . . I think the right thing to do is get everybody going on all cylinders, and then we have a chance to do what we're supposed to do.''

Ortiz didn't want to speak with the media before or after the game. Shortstop Julio Lugo instead spoke for him.

``David's the heart of the team, without him it's hard for us to keep going,'' Lugo said. ``I don't have any doubt in my mind, in anybody's mind, that he's going to come through. He's going through a hard time right now, but you know what, he hasn't forgotten how to hit and he hasn't forgotten how to play Baseball. He's right there - one click, he's just missing pitches.''

Lugo said Ortiz is upset.

``He's taking it hard,'' Lugo said. ``When you're a star and you know you can hit and things don't happen the way you want, you're going to get mad and you're supposed to get mad because you're supposed to do all those things.''

On the mend

A trio of rehabbing Red Sox - outfielders Rocco Baldelli and Mark Kotsay and starter Daisuke Matsuzaka - are progressing well enough that a clearer picture of when they will return is emerging.

Baldelli (strained left hamstring) is expected to serve as the designated hitter for Triple-A Pawtucket as early as Monday, after successfully engaging in directional change and other running drills.

``It responded really well. I'm glad it's not going to take much longer than 15 days, if at all,'' said Baldelli, who went on the 15-day disabled list on April 21. ``It feels good, happy to go out there and not have it bother me at all. I feel good, I can do anything. I've pretty much done everything.''

Kotsay (back surgery) is expected to DH for Pawtucket today and then move to the outfield with the team tomorrow.

Matsuzaka, meanwhile, will throw approximately 45-50 pitches in a bullpen session today, then report to Pawtucket for a three-inning, 45-50 pitch rehab start Tuesday. The right-hander (shoulder fatigue) will need at least three rehab starts to build up enough arm strength to be activated.

``The idea was never to put a Band-Aid on this,'' Francona said. ``He tested out really well today with all his strength. He is really starting to throw his stuff with some velocity, he's got some arm strength - we're just trying to do the right thing.''

Youk da man

Kevin Youkilis picked up right where he left off in April.

The first baseman went 2-for-3 with two doubles and a walk in last night's loss. His batting average moved to a major league-best .405 and his on-base percentage is a majors-best .515.

The big night came on the heels of an April in which Youkilis arguably was the best offensive player in the game.

He had a .395 batting average, a .505 on-base percentage, five home runs and 15 RBI. Youkilis ranked fifth in runs (20) and sixth in hits (30) in the AL. . . .

Center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury led the majors with 10 steals, the most ever by a Red Sox player in April, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. . . .

The Rays improved to 4-1 against the Red Sox this season and 18-12 against them since the beginning of last year (playoffs included). . . .

Evan Longoria's fifth-inning grand slam was the first allowed by right-hander Justin Masterson in his career. . . .

Left-hander Javier Lopez was given the night off after appearing in three straight games. . . .

Double-A Portland outfielder Josh Reddick, one of the club's top prospects, was placed on the DL yesterday with a strained oblique muscle. He's tied for the Eastern League lead with six home runs.

Read the Clubhouse Insider at bostonherald.com.