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BOSTON -- This has been a trying spring for Will Middlebrooks in his first full season with the Red Sox. He endured the worst slump of his professional career, one in which he batted .093 (5-for-54) over a span of two weeks and 14 games. On May 7 in Fenway Park, he collided with catcher David Ross and slid into the box-seat retaining wall, bruising his ribs, a condition he has played through.

Then Thursday night, after looking at called third strikes in each of his first two at-bats, extending a current hitless streak to 0-for-11 and dropping his average to .201, Middlebrooks did not come out for the fifth inning, replaced at third base by Pedro Ciriaco.

Middlebrooks was forced out of the game by spasms in his lower back, manager John Farrell said after Thursday’s 12-3 loss to the Cleveland Indians. The condition was not brought on by his rib injury, the manager said.

“In his last at-bat last night in Chicago, I think he slipped coming out of the box a little bit," Farrell said. “He didn’t mention any complaint prior to the game tonight, but as things unfolded, the stiffness was there. He’s day-to-day right now."

The Sox already have played shorthanded the last three games because of Shane Victorino’s strained left hamstring. Just this week, the Sox gave shortstop Jose Iglesias a start at third base in Triple-A Pawtucket, preparing him to be more versatile in case they need another infielder.

BOSTON -- There is no mystery to why Ryan Dempster lasted just three innings Thursday night.

“My command’s been terrible," he said.

Dempster walked six batters in just 4 2/3 innings in his last start, Saturday in Minnesota, when he threw 127 pitches.

Thursday night against the Cleveland Indians, he walked four in three innings, three of those walks coming in the third, when the Indians scored three times to take a 4-0 lead. Dempster threw 30 pitches in the second inning, 40 in the third. Those pitch counts alone dictated there would be no coming out for a fourth, even after David Ortiz’s three-run homer in the bottom of the third drew the Sox to within a run.

In his last two starts, in a span of 7 2/3 innings, Dempster has thrown 212 pitches, about the number a pitcher who has his stuff together would throw in twice as many innings.

“Unnecessary walks," he said. “I just have to try to fix that."

The command issues have surfaced since Dempster gave up home runs in three consecutive innings against the Blue Jays on May 12, his only start where there may have been a noticeable dip in his fastball velocity, manager John Farrell said. Otherwise, he said, Dempster, who just turned 36 nearly three weeks ago, has shown consistent arm strength.

“Even in his first seven starts or so, there was no unwillingness to use the entire count and not give in to hitters,’’ Farrell said. “But when he’s needed to go to a slider or split for a strike, that’s where the command of secondary stuff has been elusive for him.

“When he executes the release point of his slider and split, they have the same action. It’s just the consistency to repeat it, pitch to pitch. The walks are what they are. They’re high.’’

Thursday, according to brooksbaseball.net, Dempster threw just slightly more than half of his splitters for strikes (8 of 15), and only 4 of 10 cutters for strikes. In his 40-pitch third inning, he threw just over half (23) of his pitches for strikes.

“I threw it all over the place," he said.

What to do? Make the adjustments required to make better pitches, he said.

“Not hard," he said. “I’ve been doing this a long time."

And while the Cleveland Indians mashed the ball Thursday, collecting 16 hits in all, Dempster offered this: “They’re a lot better when you don’t throw quality pitches."

BOSTON -- Tito-palooza, indeed.

If first impressions mean anything, a sellout crowd of 35,254 at Fenway Park went home convinced that Terry Francona, the man who introduced the duck boat parade to Boston, will soon have city planners in Cleveland scrambling for a comparable celebration down Euclid Avenue.

Just as was the case in Boston when Francona arrived for the 2004 season, the Cleveland Indians are woefully out of practice when it comes to winning World Series. The last time it happened was 65 years ago, in 1948. The time before that? It was 1920. That’s it. Two. The same number Francona won in his first four seasons with the Red Sox.

If Tito pulls that off in Cleveland, and the pigeons in Public Square will soon have a new statue to call home.

Granted, it’s only May, and a year ago on this date, the Indians also were in first place, 3 1/2 games ahead of the field. That team went a Valentinian 21-49 slump from mid-July on, wound up with 94 losses, and fired its manager, Manny Acta.

So let’s not lose our heads just yet.

Still, the Sons of the Wahoo made Francona’s return as manager here a smashing success, scorching the Red Sox 12-3. The Indians handed Ryan Dempster his head after just three innings comprised of an excruciating 85 pitches, then piled on against the Boston bullpen, especially in a six-run sixth inning in which seven of the first eight Indians batters reached safely.

Dempster allowed as many baserunners (nine) as he recorded outs, allowing five hits and four walks. The Indians went single, walk, walk, single, walk in the third inning, when they scored three times to open a 4-0 lead. David Ortiz brought the Sox back with a three-run home run over the visitors’ bullpen in the bottom of the inning, but the Indians didn’t let up against Clayton Mortensen and Alex Wilson.

The Indians finished with 16 hits, including a triple and two doubles by Drew Stubbs, a double and two singles by Michael Bourn, and three singles by Mark Reynolds.

The Sox, meanwhile, paid dearly for every mistake. Shortstop Stephen Drew dropped a perfect throw from catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia on a stolen base attempt by Mike Aviles, and Bourn singled him home.

Mike Napoli missed a popup, the second time that has happened in a week, and there was no dome to blame for this one. Yan Gomes hit the next pitch for a two-run double.

Jacoby Ellsbury tried to score from second with no outs on Dustin Pedroia’s single, and was cut down at the plate. Ellsbury also came up a half-stride short in trying to flag down Stubbs’ triple over his head.

Mike Carp started in left field with Shane Victorino missing a third straight game and went hitless in four trips, making him 0 for his past 21. Will Middlebrooks left early with back spasms.

BOSTON -- Some quick hits from Thursday night’s Titopalooza at Fenway Park, and for the record, bench coach Sandy Alomar Jr. brought the lineup card out to home plate.

-- Terry Francona waved and patted his heart in appreciation when the crowd accorded him a standing ovation at the end of the first inning, when a video tribute was played and the scoreboard flashed, "Welcome Back an Old Friend... Terry Francona."

-- Playing in a game at Portland that had an 11 a.m. start time, catcher David Ross (concussion) tuned up for his return to the Red Sox by doubling in three trips, scoring a run and knocking in another. He is expected to be activated prior to Friday night’s game against the Indians, manager John Farrell said.

Ross has missed 11 games after being struck in the catcher’s mask by two straight foul balls in the ninth inning of a game May 11 against the Blue Jays.

Thursday morning, he caught rehabbing left-hander Franklin Morales, who went five innings in his fifth rehab appearance, allowing an unearned run. Farrell said the club has yet to determine what the next move is for Morales, who got up to 77 pitches Thursday.

Ryan Lavarnway, who made two starts behind the plate in Ross’ absence, is expected to return to Pawtucket when Ross is activated.

-- Shane Victorino missed his third straight game with a left hamstring strain. Farrell said he is improving but still hasn’t ruled out Victorino going on the DL if he isn’t ready to play in the next few days. Mike Carp, who is 0 for his last 17, started in left field Thursday, with Daniel Nava in right. This was just the third start for Carp since May 2.

-- Agawam, the Western Massachusetts hometown of Carl Beane, the Sox PA announcer who died of a heart attack last year at the age of 59, has chosen to honor Beane in a meaningful way. The town recently renamed a Little League field the Carl Beane Baseball Field. A stone and granite marker was placed that reads: "Carl E. Beane 1952-2012. The 'Voice of Fenway Park.' A former Agawam Little League player, coach & hometown hero."

-- The Red Sox had just one save opportunity during their nine-game trip, one reason the work of the bullpen may have gone overlooked. Sox relievers posted a 1.04 ERA (26 innings, 3 earned runs) on the trip, and in one stretch had 16 1/3 straight scoreless innings.

-- Because of rain delays in Cleveland on Wednesday night, the Indians did not arrive at their Boston hotel until 4 a.m.

BOSTON -- David Ortiz’s first-ever steal of third Wednesday was the cause of considerable mirth in the Sox clubhouse, with Ortiz the first to have fun with it. Asked what he thought when third-base coach Brian Butterfield flashed the “steal” sign, Ortiz said: “I was like, 'Are you sure?' "

“Caught me off-guard," deadpanned Mike Napoli.

Green light from here on out?

“That would have to be a pretty big light," manager John Farrell said.

But beyond the novelty, there is a more significant takeaway: The Sox wouldn’t be asking Ortiz to run, and the big man wouldn’t be on the move, unless all parties were satisfied by the progress he has made in recovering from the Achilles tendon injury that cost him the second half of last season, all of spring training, and the first 15 games of this season.

"I’ve been running well," Ortiz said. “Every day I feel better. You guys know me, if I feel well I’m going to run. Not steal bases, but take advantage of whatever is happening."

Farrell said that with a full count, the Sox like to put their runners in motion, which is why Ortiz was given the steal sign. Daniel Nava was called out on strikes, and Ortiz took third without drawing a throw.

“With his speed, he outright stole it,’’ Farrell said as straight-faced as Napoli.

Ortiz came out swinging from the day he was activated, reeling off a career-best 15-game hitting streak, but Farrell said that Ortiz has held up physically better than the club anticipated. He has played in all but two games this month.

“Once he got past that first 10 days, the consistency of his daily activity probably exceeded our initial thoughts," Farrell said. “He’s responded physically in a good way after every game. And he’s not just jogging to the dugout. He’s been running the bases quite a bit and he’s in a good place physically. Overall, his durability has been better than anticipated."

Napoli, another player also not known for his speed, made a notable contribution to Wednesday's 6-2 win, scoring on a passed ball.

"For me, it's about anticipation," Napoli said, "being ready for something to happen. There are guys that aren’t as fast but have good anticipation. Sometimes they get better reads and jumps on balls.

"You can't be scared. You have to want to make plays. I'm not scared to do it."

BOSTON -- The Cleveland Indians’ charter flight from Detroit landed in Boston at 5 a.m. After a few hours of sleep, Terry Francona woke up at 8 a.m. and began his day. Of course, it wasn’t just another game day for the former Red Sox manager, who was about to face his former club for the first time in Boston.

Despite being bleary-eyed and worn down by travel, muscle memory took over for Francona when stepping into Fenway Park. His manner of arrival at the ballpark was slightly off, piling into the back of a taxi cab instead of driving in, but once there, it was all too familiar.

“Whether you go left or right, the people are still the same,” Francona said before Thursday night’s game.

Mobbed by reporters in the visitors’ dugout before the Indians’ batting practice session, Francona reflected on his time in Boston.

“I don’t know if it will be difficult, maybe emotional,” he said.

It’s not the first time the Red Sox and Indians have met this season, but Thursday marked Francona’s return to Fenway. The much-anticipated first meeting between Francona and the Red Sox took on a much different tone, as it was one day after the April 15 attack on the Boston Marathon. In a difficult time in Boston history, Francona sought to detach himself from the storyline.

“When Boston was playing us in Cleveland, the city was going through the Marathon thing, and I was trying to be very respectful,” he said. “It’s different coming here for sure.”

When asked to gauge what the fan reaction would be to his return, Francona balked at each turn, separating emotion from the business of the day.

“I don’t spend any time thinking about things like that. It’s just not the way I’m built," he said. "These were some very special years [in Boston], but sometimes they were tough.”

Francona did acknowledge having a conversation with longtime friend -- and now adversary -- John Farrell. He had not talked to any members of the Red Sox ownership group, adding that he was unaware if they were in town.

Still, many things remained the same -- except, perhaps, for the less-than-spacious confines of Fenway’s visitors' clubhouse.

“It’s a lot smaller than I remembered,” chuckled Francona, who last was there while managing the Philadelphia Phillies.

Throughout Francona’s carwash tour of Boston media in the lead up to the series opener, he talked about the rigors of managing in a baseball-mad environment such as Boston. But, all things considered, he was happy to be back.

“If you like baseball, this is a good place to be,” he said.

Gordon Edes previews the four-game set between the Indians and Red Sox, including Terry Francona's return to Fenway Park.

CHICAGO -- Anything planned for Terry Francona upon his return to Fenway Park on Thursday night?

"Nothing," said Dustin Pedroia, the Sox second baseman and longtime Francona cribbage partner. "I got nothing."

Impressed by how well Francona's Indians are playing?

"Are they playing good?" Pedroia said. "We're about the Red Sox, man. That's it."

Um, OK. The Indians are in first place. How about that?

"Good. That's awesome."

David Ortiz was a bit more expansive about his former manager.

"I believe he's going to get a big ovation," Ortiz said. "I'm 100 percent sure. Tito, when he was our manager, he did a great job and it doesn't matter what happened afterward, he still got us to two World Series and that still is something that hasn't happened in a long time. People don't forget about that."

Asked how impressed he was by the Indians' being in first place, Ortiz replied: "Oh, they are?

"They're playing well, man. I mean, at least they have a manager who knows what he's doing, you know what I'm saying? That counts."

Hmm. Wonder whom Ortiz might have been alluding to there indirectly. Very doubtful it was a shot at Cleveland's manager last year, Manny Acta.

Red Sox manager John Farrell reiterated he expects Francona to receive a hero's welcome.

"I think it will be a special day when the series kicks off tomorrow," Farrell said. "I would fully expect he'd get a great welcome and a great ovation and deservedly so. That was eight incredible years that he spent [in Boston]."

CHICAGO -- Trying to hear soft-spoken Clay Buchholz in a raucous Red Sox clubhouse Wednesday night proved as daunting for some people (present company most definitely included) as trying to hit the unbeaten Red Sox right-hander.

Besides the usual postgame hip-hop on the clubhouse PA, Mike Napoli, a South Florida native, was standing inches away from a TV screen, loudly exhorting the Miami Heat to finish off the Indiana Pacers in the last minutes of overtime. LeBron James' buzzer-beater then set off some colorful commentary from David Ortiz, all delivered at a high-decibel level. "Has he been there before? Has he been there before? We've been there before," Ortiz proclaimed. Shane Victorino, meanwhile, grumbled something about James' having no range outside of 10 feet, which did not go unchallenged by Napoli.

It had been a little better in the office of manager John Farrell, who reflected on Buchholz's seven-inning, one-run outing and concluded, "He has certainly set the tone for us. The biggest thing is no one can sit on any one pitch in any count. That's what defines Clay Buchholz."

Buchholz actually labored a bit in the first inning. Alejandro De Aza led off with a single, but was cut down trying to steal by catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, one of two baserunners thrown out by Saltalamacchia, who had come into the game having caught one of just 19 attempted base stealers.

Buchholz then walked the next two batters, but struck out Adam Dunn on a splitter and retired Paul Konerko on a liner to left.

The only run he allowed came in the third, when a walk and two groundouts -- the first of which the Sox just missed turning a double play on -- brought around Tyler Flowers to score (Flowers reached on an infield hit).

Buchholz gave up leadoff singles in each of the next three innings, too, but no Chicago runners advanced beyond first base until Konerko homered off reliever Andrew Bailey with two outs in the ninth.

"When any starter is throwing the ball well and getting deep into games, good things are going to happen," Buchholz said. "You're going to take your lumps and bumps in the road. But it's been fun. Hopefully, we'll just keep on striding."

For the ninth time in 10 starts, Buchholz held the opposition to two runs or fewer. He has held opponents scoreless three times, to one run twice. Only the Twins, with four runs on May 6, have been above that threshold. That is also the only start in which Buchholz has failed to pitch at least seven innings; he went six in that one.

Buchholz has given up a total of 14 runs in his first 10 starts. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, only three starters have allowed fewer in that span: Pedro Martinez (10 in 2000), Josh Beckett (12 in 2011), and Bret Saberhagen (13 in 1999).

CHICAGO -- Well, glad we got that cleared up. What the rest of the world might view as a slump, Red Sox outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury on Wednesday night insisted has been not much more than an inability to "find some grass out there."

Ellsbury had two singles and also walked twice in Wednesday night's 6-2 Red Sox win over the White Sox. He also singled and walked in his last two plate appearances Tuesday.

It was his first two-hit game since May 5, a span of 16 games, and only the second time this month he has reached base four times in a game. The other time came May 14 against Tampa Bay, when he singled, walked twice and was hit by a pitch.

He has not scored two or more times in a game since April 18, a span of 31 games, and has scored just 12 runs in that time, even with Mike Napoli driving in runs at a near-record rate in April and Dustin Pedroia and David Ortiz hitting at a furious pace.

But Ellsbury on Wednesday night did not acknowledge that he has struggled, or that he has been in a slump, or employ any other term suggesting something has been amiss. Fact is, he was inclined not to talk at all, telling reporters he'd see them tomorrow, until thinking better of that idea.

His manager, John Farrell, has spoken openly of Ellsbury's struggles, admitting that the team has considered dropping him in the order. The reason he hasn't done so, Farrell indicated, is that he's not convinced that's the best way to get Ellsbury going. He also expressed confidence that Ellsbury will come out of it; most good hitters do.

Perhaps for Ellsbury, the first step toward effecting a turnaround is denying the need for one. If that works for him, no one on Yawkey Way will complain.

"I feel like I've been having good at-bats," Ellsbury said. "Fortunately tonight, I found some grass in the outfield. I've had quite a few swings that have been the same, balls just haven't got out there. I just have to stick with the plan, have a good approach, have a good plan and it's a matter of sticking to the plan."

He couched several of his responses in the same language -- approach, plan, stick to it. "All I can do is hit the ball hard and find some grass," he said.

"Got to keep my confidence, have fun, go up there knowing that it's all a matter of time before all that hard work pays off."

Chances are, he's right. Healthy players, their talent doesn't just melt away.

CHICAGO -- Before each game, a detailed scouting report of that night's opposing pitcher is placed on the stool in front of every Red Sox player's locker.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that was not the case in Wednesday night's 6-2 win over the White Sox, in which undefeated Clay Buchholz raised his record to 7-0 despite an apparent case of Chicago chicanery.

Whatever the bottom four hitters in the Red Sox order were given, it could not have been the skinny on White Sox left-hander Hector Santiago, who was pitching on three days' rest because Chicago ace Chris Sale had been scratched with a case of mild tendinitis in his shoulder.

Daniel Nava, Will Middlebrooks, Stephen Drew and Jarrod Saltalamacchia faced Santiago for a total of nine at-bats: Nava three times, the others twice apiece. The first eight at-bats produced the same outcome: a strikeout. Nava fouled out to first in the last one.

Someone obviously left substitute reading material in place of the scouting report. The leading suspects are menus from Lou Malnati's Pizzeria, final exams from nearby Illinois Tech, or liner notes from Chicago Symphony maestro Riccardo Muti.

Who made the switch? Well, it can be reliably reported that el hombre grande, 87-year-old Minnie Minoso, was spotted in the tunnel of U.S. Cellular Field Wednesday afternoon, and he was smiling. White Sox officials say that's Minnie's normal demeanor, but conspiracy theorists know better.

Subterfuge? What do you think? Once Santiago departed after the sixth inning, a semblance of normalcy returned. Nava drew a walk to load the bases in the eighth inning. Middlebrooks followed with a sacrifice fly to right that padded Boston's lead by a run. Drew walked. And after a passed ball scored another run, Saltalamacchia struck out, but in his defense, he also fouled a pitch painfully off his instep before going down swinging (plus, he'd singled in his previous at-bat).

In the ninth, Nava broke the game open with a two-run single.

Besides, Buchholz didn't need any more help than he got from David Ortiz in the first inning, when Papi took a one-handed swing and plinked a ball into left field for a two-run single, the hit scoring Jonny Gomes, who had been hit by a pitch, and Dustin Pedroia, whose fly ball into the left-field corner fell safely for a double.

In the same inning, Papi also stole third base for the first time in his career, though his derring-do on the bases went unrewarded. It did, however, guarantee that Terry Francona will have something to say about it if someone thinks to ask him Thursday in Fenway Park.

The White Sox scored once off Buchholz, Tyler Flowers coming around to score after an infield hit, a walk and two ground-ball outs in the third. Flowers was the only White Sox runner to advance past second base in Buchholz's seven innings.

He gave up just five singles, all to lead off an inning. He walked three. Saltalamacchia threw out two would-be base stealers after throwing out one in 19 previous attempts this season. The Sox turned a double play.

Buchholz became the first Sox pitcher to open 7-0 since Josh Beckett opened 7-0 in 2007 en route to the only 20-win campaign of his career. Matt Moore of the Rays and Patrick Corbin of the Diamondbacks are the only other pitchers who have won at least seven without losing so far this season.

Buchholz has made 10 starts this season, and in only one of them has he allowed more than two runs. He has held the opposition scoreless three times, to one run twice. He has gone at least seven innings in all but one of his starts, and his ERA is now a league-leading 1.71, less than half the league average ERA of 4.14.

Thus the Sox return home from this three-city swing with a 6-3 record on the trip and a half-game behind the Yankees in the AL East. The Sox will be further buoyed by slumping leadoff man Jacoby Ellsbury, who reached base four times Wednesday on two singles and two walks, and by the return of closer Andrew Bailey, who gave up a two-out home run to Paul Konerko in his first appearance since April 28.

They open a four-game set with Tito's Tribe, the Indians the unexpected leaders of the AL Central. Expect hugs, wisecracks, references to Millsy and Pedey, and a standing ovation for Francona. Just don't expect the Sox to show him any quarter.

The 8th annual "Futures at Fenway" game will be held Saturday, July 27, at Fenway Park, featuring the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs against the Harrisburg Senators. Tickets went on sale today at noon, and range from $5 (bleachers) to $30 (premium seats).

One of the top Red Sox prospects, infielder Xander Bogaerts, is currently a member of the Sea Dogs and is scheduled to play, along with other possible future MLB stars.

Also, for the first time, fans can bring their dogs to Fenway for a pregame parade. Shaded sections will be available for owners and their pets during game time. Waivers can be downloaded at redsox.com/futures

Afterward the action, the band The KIDZ BOP Kids is scheduled to perform.

For tickets, call redsox.com/futures or call (877) REDSOX-9.

CHICAGO -- Jose Iglesias has played 334 games in professional baseball since defecting from Cuba, including 41 in the big leagues.

Tuesday afternoon in Pawtucket, the 23-year-old Iglesias played his first-ever game at third base, which improbably could be his ticket back to the big leagues.

No, the Sox are not planning to convert Iglesias to third baseman. If they do so with any of their shortstop prospects, it would be Xander Bogaerts, who has the build and power to play a corner position. But as Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal reported on Monday, the PawSox began having Iglesias taking groundballs at second -- a position he told reporters he has played in Cuba -- and at third, an entirely new position for him.

The idea, Red Sox manager John Farrell said here Tuesday, is to increase Iglesias' versatility in the event they need to call up a backup infielder. Earlier this season, when there was some question as to whether third baseman Will Middlebrooks would be able to play with sore ribs, infielder Brock Holt was on standby in case the Sox needed to summon another player.

"Not unlike other guys that have come to the big leagues, Jed Lowrie, for example, is another guy we exposed to multiple positions, we're looking to do the same with Jose right now," Farrell said. "In the event something happens to someone, prepare the best we can if he comes to us in a role we might call on his versatility.

"We know he can play shortstop. If we get him consecutive days, multiple days at second or third [we'll do so]," he said.

The Red Sox have a veteran infielder who can play second, third and short in Drew Sutton, but he was on the disabled list earlier this month with Pawtucket after straining a muscle in his side. Iglesias would give them another option.

Iglesias made an error at third Tuesday. He also singled and walked after hitting a home run on Monday.

He is batting .209 overall.

* Daniel Bard is throwing only side sessions for Double-A Portland for the time being, Farrell said. No time has been set for him to return to game action, but he remains on the active roster.

* David Ross, who continues his recovery from concussive symptoms, will be sent on a brief rehab assignment before the end of the week, Farrell said.

* Shane Victorino remains day to day with a left hamstring strain. The Sox are holding off on any move to the DL.

CHICAGO -- The Boston Red Sox took a soaking in any number of ways Tuesday night.

Colombian left-hander Jose Quintana held them without a hit until David Ortiz's broken-bat single with one out in the seventh.

The skies opened up and poured down on U.S. Cellular Field for the final two innings.

Jeff Keppinger spoiled an otherwise good night by Felix Doubront with a two-run homer in the fifth, and Alex Rios doubled home a run in the eighth, as for the second straight game the opportunistic White Sox scored all of their runs after two were out.

And the White Sox made it two straight wins over the Red Sox with a 3-1 win in which the Sox loaded the bases in the seventh and failed to score, and were given a gift run on an error by Chicago shortstop Alexei Ramirez in the eighth, only to have Ortiz hit into an inning-ending double play.

Small comfort for the Sox? Jacoby Ellsbury ended an 0-for-10 skid with a ground-ball single in the eighth.

Doubront was sharp, allowing just five hits in six innings, three coming with two out in the fifth.

On the downside, Dustin Pedroia's 11-game hitting streak came to an end. Will Middlebrooks and Stephen Drew whiffed against Jesse Crain with the bases loaded in the seventh.