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BOSTON -- Shane Victorino was out of the lineup again because of spasms in his lower back, and manager John Farrell said during Friday’s pregame press briefing that he wasn’t certain when the right fielder would be able to return.

Victorino first began feeling the tightness last Saturday, which forced him to leave that day’s game against Kansas City in the eighth inning. He sat out both ends of the next day’s doubleheader.

Victorino returned to the lineup on Monday and played for two nights, but he had to leave Wednesday’s game against Oakland in the seventh inning, two innings after delivering the tie-breaking hit. He also missed the first game of the series against Houston, on Thursday.

“He’s improved over yesterday but he still has spasms in his lower back,” said Farrell. “He’s day-to-day. He’s unavailable today.”

Victorino is not yet a candidate for the disabled list, said Farrell.

“That’s all based on how he improves in respect to treatment,” said Farrell. “We’re not any closer to saying this is a DL situation. It’s still day-to-day.”

After finishing up the series with the Astros on Sunday the Red Sox have a day off before opening a series in Toronto. Victorino could be held out of action until the road-trip opener on Tuesday, but Farrell said such plans aren’t set in stone yet, that Victorino’s playing status will hinge on how he feels.


Drew sits: Slumping shortstop Stephen Drew was not in the starting lineup Friday night. Drew, a left-handed hitter, is batting a paltry .119 (5 for 42). He had started 13 of 15 games since returning from the disabled list (concussion) on April 10. The fact Houston is starting a left-hander (Erik Bedard), plus the fact Farrell wanted to give utilityman Pedro Ciriaco (2 for 14, .143) a little playing time, put Drew on the bench.

Pitching plans unchanged: Closer Joel Hanrahan (right hamstring strain) was expected to throw Friday night for Pawtucket in Buffalo, and left-hander Craig Breslow (left shoulder tendinitis) is expected to throw tomorrow for the PawSox. John Lackey (right biceps strain) still is listed to come off the DL for a Sunday start at Fenway Park against the Astros.

Here's tonight's Red Sox lineup for their game against the Astros:

1. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
2. Jonny Gomes, LF
3. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
4. David Ortiz, DH
5. Mike Napoli, 1B
6. Daniel Nava, RF
7. Will Middlebrooks, 3B
8. David Ross, C
9. Pedro Ciriaco, SS

Ryan Dempster, RHP

BOSTON -- Good morning from the Edes cave, the day after 4,800 folks took the Red Sox up on their offer to produce a ticket stub from Tuesday’s misery and were rewarded with a free night of baseball Thursday night in the Fens, where both Clay Buchholz and David Ortiz remain ridiculously hot.

Let’s begin with Buchholz, who became the major leagues’ first five-game winner by throttling the Astros, striking out 10 in 7 2/3 innings, then said he was having trouble gripping and throwing his two-seamed fastball, which has become his go-to pitch.

He threw 28 two-seamers Thursday night, only 13 for strikes, and didn’t get a single swing and miss. So he relied more on his four-seam fastball, throwing 29 of them, 21 for strikes, averaging just under 95 miles an hour with his elevating fastball. He said afterward that he’s not sure he would have been able to transition that smoothly in the past.

“Probably not,” he said. “That was one thing that I worked really hard on, was having both fastballs and being able to locate them and pitch off that. It’s a little different not having a two-seam to throw whenever I want. It was tough to get to that point at certain spots, but I was able to find a way to get through a couple of innings.’’

It’s striking to see how reliant Buchholz has become on his sinker. Last season, in his fifth start, he threw just 10 two-seamers, according to Brooksbaseball.net, which tracks such things, and checking a random start in late July, he threw just 5, compared to 43 four-seamers.

What has made Buchholz so impressive this season has been his ability to throw five pitches -- four-seamer, two-seamer, cutter, curveball, and changeup -- with command. He has produced the best results with his two-seamer -- opposing hitters are just 6 for 35 (.171) against that pitch -- and cutter (5 for 32, .156).

The Astros actually got to him early, scoring runs in both the second and third innings, and the pitch count was rising at a rapid rate, 59 through three innings. As noted earlier, he said he was having trouble with his grip, and his pace was noticeably slower. But then he adjusted, and set down 11 batters in a row in one stretch.

“I think it goes back to he knows himself that much more as a pitcher,” manager John Farrell said. “Even tonight, when things didn’t start out as crisp and efficient as he's been in his other starts, it clicked for him in the fourth inning. And I think he recognizes the ability to put the ball on the ground with certain pitches against different types of hitters. That’s a key. A couple of double plays again tonight lends to the overall efficiency. But still I just think it’s Clay maturing as a pitcher overall.”

A few other numbers to note regarding Buchholz:

* Five straight starts 2 earned runs or less.

* One home run allowed out of 144 batters faced.

* At least 7 innings in all five starts.

* He’s allowing an average of just 6 hits per nine innings.

* His strikeout to walk ratio is 3 to 1.

* Left-handed hitters are batting just .143 (10 for 70), with 3 extra-base hits.

* Opposing cleanup hitters are just 1 for 16, with 6 strikeouts.

* With men on base, opposing hitters are batting just .103 (6 for 58).

Then there’s Ortiz, who had three more hits Thursday, including his first home run, a 439-foot blast into the center-field bleachers, his longest home run in the Fens since Sept. 27, 2007. He has 11 hits in 20 at-bats since being activated Saturday, a .550 average.

“He’s definitely making it look easy,’’ said Daniel Nava, who walked twice and scored a run Thursday. “He’s fun to watch. It’s not like you lose sight of what Buch did, but when a guy has been gone for so long and he’s doing what David’s doing you almost forget that Buck went out and pitched nearly eight innings with 10 punchouts.’’

Buchholz said the dugout was “yelling and screaming” when Ortiz went from first to third on a two-out single by Mike Carp in the fifth.

“Oh yeah,’’ Nava said. “That’s a big sign that he’s feeling better.

“There’s been a big emphasis from Day 1 with the coaching staff we’re going to run the bases well. We’re going to put pressure on the other team. That’s everyone, from Ells (Jacoby Ellsbury), Papi, to Salty (Jarrod Saltalamacchia), it didn’t matter who. So to see him doing that shows he’s obviously feeling good, but he’s also buying into the whole idea. It’s about us winning. That’s all we care about.’’

Interestingly, while there have been clear instances demonstrating Sox aggressiveness on the bases, beginning with Jonny Gomes scoring from second on Jacoby Ellsbury’s infield hit in the season opener against the Yankees -- the overall numbers don’t yet reflect a greater aggressiveness by the Sox on the basepaths.

According to baseball-reference.com, the Sox have taken more than one base on a single or more than two bases on a double 38 percent of the time so far this season. That number was 42 percent last season.

Small sample size, to be sure, but worth tracking.

BOSTON -- Baseball commissioner Bud Selig prides himself as a keen student of history, and would have no trouble rattling off the names of great orators from our fair state, be it Cotton Mather or Edward Everett Hale, Daniel Webster or William Lloyd Garrison, Edward Kennedy or David Ortiz.

You read that right. The commish, speaking to the Associated Press Sports Editors meeting in New York on Thursday, was asked about Ortiz's speech at Saturday's pregame ceremonies, the one in which Ortiz punctuated his feelings with an expletive common to the clubhouse, unprecedented over the Fenway Park public address system.

"It was really emotional for me," Selig said, according to USA Today. "I actually cried through the whole ceremony. I'm not afraid to tell you that. On one hand it was so uplifting, so sad in another way.

"I agree with the FCC. I thought David Ortiz's choice of words was outstanding, given what he was trying to say. I mean that sincerely."

If you're scoring at home, make that F-bombs 1, Bluenoses 0.

Ortiz threw his head back and laughed when told of Selig's response after Boston's 7-2 win over Houston Thursday night at Fenway Park.

"That's my man," he said. "That's my main man right there. That guy loves me. He's a good dude, man."

Ortiz, meanwhile, hasn't stopped being heard, only this time he's letting his palo do his talking for him. Roughly translated, that's "big stick" in Spanish, which is what Ortiz has been swinging since being activated Saturday.

Totally shredding the notion that six weeks of spring training serves any functional purpose beyond baseball promoting its coming season, Ortiz had three more hits Thursday, including his first home run of 2013, a big fly in the third inning that landed just over the garage door in center field. He has 11 hits in his first 20 at-bats, a .550 average.

"I've been working at trying to stay short and quick to the ball, not trying to do too much," said Ortiz, who has now hit in 17 straight games going back to last season, his longest streak as a member of the Red Sox and two games shy of the 19-game streak he had with Minnesota in 2002.

"It's even better when you join a lineup where everybody's swinging the bat pretty good; it's less pressure."

ESPN's home run tracker measured the true distance of Ortiz's home run at 439 feet, making it his longest at Fenway Park since Sept. 27, 2007.

How'd that home run swing feel? "Feels good," he said. "Crushed it."

Ortiz, who also singled in a run and scored in Boston's four-run first and singled and scored in the fifth, cleared the way for Clay Buchholz to become the major leagues' first five-game winner, Buchholz having claimed a favorable decision in each of his first five starts.

"It's remarkable the timing he's displayed, especially after the layoff he's had," Sox manager John Farrell said. "I think even guys in the dugout are marveling at what he's been able to do, not only in making contact, but driving the ball."

The dugout was just as impressed, Buchholz said, when Ortiz went from first to third on Mike Carp's single in the fifth. "Everybody was yelling and screaming," he said.

Despite not having a feel for the two-seam fastball he has come to rely on heavily, Buchholz became the first Sox pitcher since Josh Beckett in 2007 to win his first five starts. Beckett wound up winning 20 that season, then tacked on a fabulous postseason as the Red Sox won the World Series.

Leadoff doubles in the second and third innings both resulted in runs for the Astros, inflating Buchholz's ERA from 0.90 before the game to a mere 1.19 after he departed with two outs in the eighth inning. According to Elias, his ERA is the lowest by a Sox pitcher through five starts since Roger Clemens posted a 0.66 ERA over a similar span in 1991.

Buchholz did not win his fifth game until June 1 last season, then ended the season with just 2 wins in his last 11 starts, finishing 2012 with 11 wins and a 4.56 ERA.

"Things are going right," he said Thursday night. "Balls that were hit for home runs last year when I was missing in the middle of the zone are being fouled off. It's not always that way, so you've got to savor it while it is. Everybody has their rough outings."

He walked two and struck out 10, the second time in three starts he has reached double figures in whiffs. He set down 11 straight between the leadoff walk he issued to Rick Ankiel in the fifth until Jose Altuve's single to center with two out in the eighth.

"He didn't have his best stuff," catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia said, "but it shows how talented he is, how good he is, to go out without his best stuff, eat up innings for us, and do the job."

Andrew Miller recorded the last out of the eighth before Daniel Bard made his first appearance of 2013, allowing a two-out single but then retiring Matt Dominguez on a comebacker for the final out, making him the pitcher who got all the handshakes and high-fives.

The Sox have now won the first game of all eight series they've played this season, and are 11-0 in games in which they scored first.

The Astros, meanwhile, are making their debut in the American League a painful one, falling to 7-15. Philip Humber, who threw a perfect game almost a year ago to the day, was racked for 7 runs on 10 hits, in his first start since giving up eight runs in a third of an inning against Cleveland.

BOSTON -- A few quick hits before Thursday night’s series opener:

* Since his three-run home run Monday night, Will Middlebrooks is hitless in his last nine at-bats. Since hitting three home runs in Toronto on April 7, Middlebrooks has just five hits in 55 at-bats, an .090 average. He said this is by far the worst slump he has ever experienced.

"We've got to get him back to swinging at strikes, first and foremost," manager John Farrell said. "That will allow that swing to play. He's expanded the zone up, he's expanded the zone off the plate, when he swings at strikes he puts a very consistent swing on a pitch."

* Clay Buchholz will be looking to become the majors’ first five-game winner Thursday night against the American League’s biggest loser, Philip Humber, who was the only AL pitcher with four losses until the Red Sox beat Oakland’s Brett Anderson on Wednesday night.

It’s just over a year to the day that Humber pitched a perfect game for the Chicago White Sox -- April 21, 2012 -- and he has known nothing but misery on the field since. He went 2-4 with a 7.47 ERA in 10 starts after the perfecto, wound up on the disabled list with a sore elbow, and was yanked out of the rotation after four more rough starts in July. Houston, the city where he had starred in college at Rice, claimed him off waivers this winter, but Humber has found a hard road so far -- 0-4, 6.63 ERA, including his last start in which he was charged with eight runs in a third of an inning against the Indians.

In an interview with Sports Illustrated last December, Humber was philosophical about the course his career has taken.

"There are very few guys in our game that are just dominant, and those are the guys that are making millions and millions of dollars," Humber told the magazine. "Most guys are like me -- they have a lot of ability but haven't figured out how to exactly put it together consistently. I'm still searching for that. But I'm also one of the lucky ones. Even if I never find that place, I know I've made a mark. I know that perfect game is always going to be there."

* Buchholz’s 0.90 ERA is the lowest by a Sox starter after four starts since Pedro Martinez opened the 1998 season with an 0.84 ERA through four starts. Martinez gave up three earned runs in 5 1/3 innings in his next start, in Detroit, his ERA jumping to 1.69.

* Jacoby Ellsbury’s next stolen base will be the 200th of his career. Assuming it comes in the next five games, it also will break his club record for most steals in April, 10, which he set in 2009, the year he stole a club record 70. Ellsbury has yet to be caught this season; Jason Castro is catching for the Astros tonight and has thrown out 2 of 12 base-stealers.

* This is the eighth series the Sox have played so far this season. They’ve won the opener of all eight series. They’re 7-2 lifetime against the ‘Stros, sweeping them in Houston in 2011, the last time they met.

* According to the Sox, about 1,400 fans holding tickets from Tuesday’s 13-0 loss played in horrific conditions took advantage Wednesday of the Sox offer for free admission with a ticket stub. The Sox made the same offer for Thursday night’s game.

* Had some fun in the morning report with Oakland reliever Grant Balfour, whose string of f-bombs Wednesday could be heard loud and clear, even in the pressbox. Andrew Bailey and Balfour were teammates in Oakland.

“He’s a great guy, man," Bailey said. “He’s awesome. He’s a great teammate, and pitches with a lot of pride and adrenaline, as do I. He wears his heart on his sleeve. Whatever happens out there happens, and he lets it go. He’s a lot of fun, a lot of high energy out there, that’s really it."

* It may have come as a surprise to some that Alfredo Aceves still had options, which is why the Sox were able to send him to Pawtucket without exposing him to waivers. Here is a list of the Sox players who are out of options: Craig Breslow, Felix Doubront, Joel Hanrahan, Andrew Miller, Franklin Morales, Clayton Mortensen, David Ross, Pedro Ciriaco, Jonny Gomes, Daniel Nava.

BOSTON -- Alfredo Aceves’ demotion to Pawtucket, which came after GM Ben Cherington, manager John Farrell and pitching coach Juan Nieves met with the pitcher following Wednesday night’s game, was “performance-based totally,” according to the manager.

“Not just in the outings this year," Farrell said, “but going back to the last six weeks, eight weeks of last year. This was strictly performance based."

In 17 appearances dating to Aug. 23, all but the last three out of the bullpen, Aceves was 1-4 with a 9.00 ERA. He averaged 4.7 walks per nine innings, and gave up 11 home runs in just 40 innings. His last outing was his worst: Pitching on a cold, wet, windy night Tuesday, Aceves threw 42 pitches in a six-run third inning in which he walked three, committed two balks, made an error and was late covering first base.

“He’ll start [in Pawtucket]," Farrell said. “He’s got to gain consistency. He’s healthy, and when he’s been consistent, like in five innings in Cleveland, he’s pitched very well. The capability is there, yet we’ve got to get him back on track, from not just inning to inning, but outing to outing."

Farrell had alluded to a lack of focus on Aceves’ part Tuesday night.

“The results show it," Farrell said. “He’ll go out and string together a couple good innings. Other pitchers go through that as well. Again, looking at the overall body of work, it was performance related."

Aceves has more value to the Sox as a depth starter than as a reliever, Farrell said, primarily because the Sox have several relief options ahead of him in their estimation.

How did he handle the news of his demotion?

“Like a pro," Farrell said. “Outlined the reasons for the move, he understood them, he appreciated the opportunity and felt he’d go down there and work to get back here."

Aceves is expected to report on Saturday, the day the PawSox return from the road.

BOSTON -- Outfielder Shane Victorino, who came out of Wednesday’s 6-5 win over Oakland in the sixth inning after jogging down to first base on a groundout, remains day-to-day with what manager John Farrell described as lower-back stiffness.

This was the second time in five games that Victorino was forced out midgame by back issues, having departed early Saturday, and he subsequently sat out Sunday’s double-header against the Royals.

Victorino has experienced back tightness in the past, but never missed more than a game on three previous occasions.

The Sox are noticeably weaker in the outfield without Victorino, who has made several outstanding plays in right field, most recently on Monday night, when he ran down Eric Sogard’s bid for extra bases with two on in the eighth inning and made a nice over-the-head catch.

The Sox didn’t have the option of recalling Jackie Bradley Jr., since he was just optioned back to Pawtucket and can’t be recalled for 10 days (unless the Sox plan to place Victorino on the DL, which is not in the works). They opted instead for catcher Ryan Lavarnway, who Farrell said would be used as a right-handed hitter off the bench.

Thursday night, Daniel Nava was in the lineup in right field, with Mike Carp in left. Remaining on the bench is outfielder Jonny Gomes, who has yet to knock in a run in 15 games this season and is batting .188 overall. The Astros are starting Philip Humber, a right-hander, but Gomes has actually fared better against righties this season (4 for 18, .222) than lefties (2 for 14), .143.

With runners in scoring position, Gomes is 0 for 3, though he also has drawn five walks (one intentional).

Lavarnway’s stay is expected to be a short one, Farrell saying that the catcher’s roster spot will be used when John Lackey comes off the disabled list. Farrell said all signs point to Lackey starting against the Astros on Sunday after a robust bullpen session here Thursday.

BOSTON -- Good morning from the Edes cave, where I’ve been listening to the CD “Stay,” by the irreverent Boston band Jim’s Big Ego, which modestly describes itself as “The Greatest Band in the History of Recorded Music” and employs Red Sox organist Josh Kantor as keyboard player and vocalist.

A great sound, and lyrics that include such gems as this: “Why is man born only to suffer and die? Why not?"

The band will be playing on the Great Lawn at Brandeis University on Sunday afternoon as part of the Leonard Bernstein festival of creative arts, though Kantor has a gig at Fenway that afternoon and can’t be in Waltham.

There’s a musical motif to this morning report, namely the adoption by Red Sox closer Andrew Bailey of “Shipping Up to Boston,” the song by the great Dropkick Murphys that became a staple at Fenway Park after Jonathan Papelbon chose it as his entrance music. Well, Pap is gone, starting his second season in Philadelphia, but the song has returned, Bailey making his way from the bullpen to the same tune.

How’d that happen? Bailey explains.

“We talked about it, a couple of us, the first game we got back here," Bailey said. “We decided it’s a Boston song. It’s been a staple for the city for such a long time, the fans really enjoy it. Nothing to do with anything else but the fans love it, and that song is a Boston song."

Pap hasn’t sued for copyright infringement?

“It’s just one of those things, man, it gets them pumped up," Bailey said. “And that’s what it’s about. Nothing other than that. The Red Sox have done such a great job of separating the Fenway experience to the Red Sox. When people come to town, they want to come to a Red Sox game, and part of that experience is that song in the ninth. Red Sox fans deserve it, they like it, obviously, they cheer for it, and we’ll probably stick with it."

Papelbon has moved on to Metallica’s “For Whom the Bell Tolls.”

Singing the blues: While the rest of the globe was expressing its solidarity with Boston, poor Carl Crawford was once again lamenting the fact he ever set foot here as a member of the Red Sox. His latest screed came courtesy of USA Today, under the headline " 'I don’t think I smiled’ in two years in Boston."

This interview, mind you, took place last week.

"I try not to even think about my days in Boston anymore," Crawford told USA Today baseball writer Paul White. "It's still just such a nightmare. Every time I think about it, I cringe."

Presumably, the cringing abated long enough for Crawford to deposit the checks he got from the Red Sox as part of the seven-year, $142 million contract he signed for the team, which one could argue was every bit as nightmarish for the ballclub as it was for CC. So nightmarish, in fact, that the Red Sox willingly traded away a player they liked, Adrian Gonzalez, just to get out from under the Crawford [and Josh Beckett] deals.

CC’s Boston bashing has been emboldened in part by his hot start with the Dodgers, although he may want to get in his shots while he still can. He is batting .125 (3 for 24) in his last seven games, and began Thursday hitless in his last 19 at-bats.

"When you hear how bad you are every day, doubts spring into your mind," Crawford says of the spiral he admits made him wonder if his career was in jeopardy. "Deep down, it's like I know I can still play baseball but after being told how much you suck for two years straight, it kind of messes with your mind."

Crawford is full of it, of course. His signing by Boston was greeted with across-the-board enthusiasm, manager Terry Francona proclaiming him a “game-changer." Fans and media did not spend the next two years Crawford-crushing -- he rarely was booed in the Fens -- but they did ask a fair question: What happened to the great player who regularly tormented the Sox when he was with Tampa Bay?

But, hey, Rays folks gave fair warning that Crawford would be a bad fit in Boston, and they were prescient. He’s happy to be in L.A., and the Sox are happy he’s not here.

In this week's edition of "State of the Nation," Gordon Edes breaks down the Red Sox's hot start and the makeup of the bullpen.

BOSTON -- Red Sox pitcher Alfredo Aceves, who had a dismal start in a 13-0 loss to the Oakland A’s on Tuesday, was optioned to Triple A Pawtucket on Wednesday.

Aceves was sent down following a meeting with manager John Farrell, pitching coach Juan Nieves and general manager Ben Cherington in Farrell’s office after Boston’s 6-5 win over Oakland at Fenway Park. The team said a corresponding roster move will be made on Thursday.

Aceves had made three starts while John Lackey has been on the disabled list with a strained right biceps. Lackey is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Thursday, and if all goes well, he will start here Sunday against the Houston Astros.

BOSTON -- A day after the Red Sox took a 13-0 bath against Oakland in the mud and the blood and the beer of an unforgiving night at Fenway Park, the sun shone again on the Sons of John Farrell, who have spent the first 24 days of the 2013 season in first place and will tie a franchise record if they’re still on top by the break of dawn Friday.

By the end of Boston’s narrow 6-5 win over the Athletics on Wednesday afternoon, a full moon hung over the right-field grandstand while the Red Sox high-fived their way past closer Andrew Bailey, who struck out the side in the ninth inning for his fifth save in six chances and third on this 10-game homestand.

Bailey did so without uttering an audible profanity, at least not one that could be heard in the press box, five floors above the home plate. The same could not be said for Athletics reliever Grant Balfour, the notoriously foul-mouthed Aussie who seemed bent on bellowing an f-bomb for every one of the stitches on the baseball he held in his hand.

David Ortiz on Saturday had made this something less than Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood with his choice of adjectives for his beloved city; Balfour, meanwhile, will not soon be invited to Sesame Street.

Imagine if the Sox had scored on Balfour, who walked two in the ninth but left both runners stranded. This might have been the first game ever to be given an NC-17 rating.

A strike zone the size of his dash compartment also challenged the comportment of Sox starter Jon Lester, who ran his record to 4-0 but not before walking six, forcing an early exit with a 6-3 lead, two out and the bases loaded in the sixth inning.

Junichi Tazawa picked up Lester, inducing Coco Crisp to line out to left to end the inning, but the Athletics kept up the pressure, scoring in the seventh on Jed Lowrie’s two-out double and a single by Josh Donaldson, and again in the eighth when Chris Young lost a ball over the Monster with a home run off Koji Uehera. It was the second home run of the game for Young, who lined a hanging breaking ball off the Sports Authority sign in left field for a three-run home run off Lester in the fourth.

The Sox tied the score in the bottom of the inning on back-to-back doubles by Ortiz and Mike Napoli and a two-run triple by Stephen Drew, the Sox shortstop trying to dig out from an early-season slump.

The Sox knocked out Oakland starter Brett Anderson with three more runs in the fifth, the first six batters in the inning reaching safely. Shane Victorino had an RBI double, and Ortiz and Daniel Nava also singled in runs.

Victorino left the game after barely making it down the line on his sixth-inning grounder. No details on his injury were immediately available.

The game also was finished with three umpires, plate umpire Jerry Layne leaving the game after taking a ball off his hand. Mike Estabrook took over behind the plate.

The Sox are now 14-7, 3-3 on the 10-game homestand that concludes with a four-game set against the newest American League entry, the Houston Astros.

BOSTON -- The tenuous nature of Alfredo Aceves’ place on the Red Sox was reinforced Wednesday during John Farrell’s pregame session with the media, when the Sox manager reiterated that the club’s tolerance for his erratic performances is growing short.

“I think the bottom line is just that, the bottom line," Farrell said. “You’ve got to perform to continue to get opportunities."

Aceves has made three starts while John Lackey has been on the disabled list with a strained right bicep. Lackey is scheduled to throw a bullpen Thursday, and if all goes well, he will start here Sunday against the Houston Astros.

But if Lackey can’t go, Farrell said that it’s hardly automatic that Aceves would take his place.

“He’d be one of the candidates," Farrell said, citing Allen Webster, who made his big-league debut Sunday night before being returned to Pawtucket, as another possibility.

Aceves had gone five innings in each of his first two starts, throwing 106 pitches last week in Cleveland before home runs by Nick Swisher and Jason Giambi knocked him out in the sixth inning. His ability to come out of the pen and serve as an emergency starter is precisely what gives him value to the Sox.

Then came Tuesday night, when in ghastly weather conditions, Aceves pitched as badly as the weather, especially in a third inning in which he walked three batters, committed two balks, was late in covering first base, and made a throwing error. The next inning he gave up a home run to Seth Smith, even with a strong crosswind sweeping Fenway Park.

His numbers through three starts: 20 hits, 10 walks, 4 home runs in 13 1/3 innings, and an 8.10 ERA.

After Tuesday night's game, Farrell spoke of a loss of “focus” while a clearly emotional Aceves, in a rambling back-and-forth with reporters, mentioned the weather, the hole dug by opposing pitcher Bartolo Colon and a small strike zone as factors in his performance. Aceves, who spoke in English but has made it clear he’s not comfortable in his second language, took responsibility for covering the bag late and for making a bad throw. He also made a vague reference to Sox hitters not having success against Colon, which some construed as calling out his teammates.

Farrell said he didn’t read it that way.

“I will say this: Setting elements aside, Bartolo was probably as sharp as any time this year," Farrell said. “When he’s on, he can shut a team down. He came in here undefeated and remains that way. I don’t know if in that context Alfredo was calling out his teammates. I don’t believe he was.

“There was some frustration and some, I don’t know how to describe it other than some indecision on his part inside that game. If that’s how he chooses to describe it, I wouldn’t put it on his teammates by any means."

Farrell said he met Wednesday morning with Aceves.

“I had a chance to meet with Alfredo today just to discuss last night, not a role going forward," Farrell said, “but it still comes down to you need to earn these opportunities, and there have been mixed results."

There are also pitchers on their way back to being activated, which further could jeopardize Aceves’ spot on the team. Lackey is returning, of course. Joel Hanrahan was throwing a bullpen Wednesday afternoon and will be headed to Pawtucket on Friday to begin a rehab assignment if all goes well. Left-handed reliever Craig Breslow, who started Tuesday’s game for Portland, is scheduled for back-to-back appearances in Pawtucket on Saturday and Sunday.

Left-hander Franklin Morales, meanwhile, remains a question mark and may have his rehab assignment stopped. He developed some soreness in his left pectoral muscle while pitching for Class A Greenville earlier this week and was brought back to Boston to be re-evaluated and placed on a long-toss program. The Sox have not scheduled when he will make his next appearance.

BOSTON -- Daniel Bard spoke with reporters in the dugout after batting practice. Here’s what he had to say:

“It’s good to be here, man. It’s been an interesting road. I think going to Portland for a little while was probably the best thing. It was a good group of guys, and I couldn’t ask for more out of the coaching staff, they were awesome. But it’s always nice to see this place.’’

Satisfied with the adjustments you made?

“My delivery feels simple right now. It feels easy to repeat. Kip [Portland pitching coach Bob Kipper] was a great guy to work with. He kind of pounds things into your head, almost to where it gets annoying, but it’s good. I think everyone agrees who has played for him it sticks and he genuinely cares. I couldn’t ask for a better guy to work with.’’

Are you here to stay?

“I wasn’t given anything besides told to be here for the game today. I’m just going to take it one day at a time, the same thing I’ve done this year up to this point, wherever that takes me.

“I’ve been watching the team from afar, a fun team to watch. Obviously I know all these guys pretty well, so it’s going to be fun to be a part of it.’’

Shock to be sent to Portland at the end of camp?

“Not nearly as much of a shock as last year was, getting sent down. I think that hit me more like a ton of bricks when that happened. This year I knew I was battling for a spot from the first day of spring training. I’m realistic. I knew I had options, and there were other guys who didn’t. So if it came down to it, you don’t lose guys. I understand that side of the game.

“At the same time, I felt like I showed a lot of things in spring training that showed I was over what happened last year and was ready to move forward. Their decision was to do that in Portland. Obviously, you’re not extremely thrilled when you get that news, but at the same time you try not to sit and pout about it too long and say, ‘Hey, this is the way it is and I’m going to try and make the best of the situation.’ That’s what I’m trying to do.’’

How is your fastball command?

“It’s been really good. It’s been a thing where even if I come out of my delivery on a pitch, I’m able to get back into it in one or two pitches, rather than spend the whole inning trying to find it kind of thing. I think that’s just come from simplifying things, shortening the leg kick a little bit. Things have gotten a little more athletic, a little more rhythm to it, and that’s just allowed me to find it a lot quicker out there.’’

Importance of fastball command?

“I think so, just being in the zone. I don’t know how hard I’ve been throwing or anything, but I know that I’ve been getting a lot of defensive swings on my fastball, righties and lefties. A lot of broken bats mixed in. That always tells you you’re doing something right, that your fastball has got a little life to it.’’

History with Kipper?

“We go way back to 2006 and ‘07. I had him in ’08, too. I’ve always had a good relationship with him. I don’t think I ever realized how much I valued him until this year. He was the guy who I played catch with every day. He caught my flat grounds. The feedback was just awesome, the input.

“He just loves to focus on positives. Even in one or two outings that maybe didn’t go as well, he’d say, ‘How many pitches did you throw that you liked?’ I’d say, ‘Seven.’ He’d say, ‘Let’s focus on those seven, and get back at it tomorrow.

“Boom. That was it. Erase the negative., A good guy to be around, for sure.’’

You’ll be around John Farrell now. What factor will he play?

“I have a great relationship with John. I’ve known him since I was 12 years old. He’s got my interests at heart. How he wants to use me, how he wants to deal with it, I’m all ears. I’m open to it.’’

Available today after throwing last night?

“Yes. It was a quick inning. Ten pitches. Good to go.’’

Impressions of team from afar?

“It’s a fun team to watch. Feel like, watching from afar, they’re never out of a game. They play hard all the way through the late innings, and the pitching has been unbelievable. Great to see Jonny [Lester] and Clay [Buchholz] having the years they’re having. It’s been fun to watch, and hopefully more fun to be a part of.''

Not letting the setting impact you?

“I think that was the case an outing or two last year, and maybe this spring. I’ve had to learn how to do it. I think I’ve gotten better at it. Just being in the moment, not worrying about last outing, next outing, where I need to go. Just be in the moment, and the adrenaline kind of takes over from there. Pitching in this stadium, it’s kind of hard not to be that way, being in the moment.’’

Upper range of velocity has not returned. Will it?

“I don’t know. Got a lot of miles on this arm. [Smiles] I feel good. The arm feels good. I feel healthy. Like I said, I’m just reading hitters’ swings, getting a lot of weak swings on the fastball. That tells me it’s doing what it’s supposed to. However it’s coming out, I’m happy with it.’’

BOSTON -- The Red Sox on Wednesday made it official, promoting reliever Daniel Bard from Double-A Portland. Manager John Farrell made it clear that the Sox are hopeful this is more than just a temporary fix, that he will become a permanent part of the bullpen.

"He’s here to do just that, perform and be a regular in our bullpen," Farrell said before Wednesday afternoon’s game with the Oakland Athletics.

Bard was unscored upon in his last five outings (six innings) for the Sea Dogs, maintaining an average speed in the 93 to 96 m.p.h. range and throwing strikes (8 of 10 pitches he threw Tuesday night were strikes).

"The last three outings, he’s been much more consistent," Farrell said. "We’ve made the comment and took the stance in spring training that this was about repeating his delivery. It wasn’t so much on the end result, but the results have been there, along with the consistent arm slot and the delivery. With our need to add to the bullpen, he’s back here."

While there is more work to be done, Farrell said, Bard has progressed to the point where no major rehaul is required.

“I think it’s a matter of maintenance, not wholesale adjustments by any means," Farrell said. “It’s a matter of repeating a delivery that’s natural to him, and when he does he’s been successful."

Farrell said the plan is to use Bard in early relief situations.

“I feel like with Taz [Junichi Tazawa], Koji [Uehara} and Andrew [Bailey], that’s the back end of our bullpen right now," he said, “so right now it’s a matter of him getting back acclimated to this level and building some confidence along the way."

There has not been a jump in Bard’s velocity since spring training. The Sox have not see the Bard who threw in the upper 90s as recently as 2011.

“That doesn’t mean he has to get to that level to be successful," Farrell said. “It’s been in the 93-to-96 range. I think a lot of guys would sign up to throw that hard.

“If you look back to Daniel’s time in Boston before starting, when he was in this velocity range there wasn’t a lot of swing-and-miss then, either. It was in the upper end of the 90 range where a lot of the swing-and-miss came in, where guys had to cheat to get to that velocity and the breaking ball became that much more effective.

“I think we’re looking for a delivery that’s got a reworking to it to add deception. Regardless, we’ve seen it with Joel Hanrahan, too. Location is still the No. 1 element for anyone."

Bard takes the place of Steven Wright on the Sox roster. Wright was optioned back to Pawtucket after making his big-league debut Tuesday night, allowing five runs in Boston’s 13-0 loss to Oakland.

In the video above, Aaron Boone and Alex Cora discuss Red Sox right-hander Clay Buchholz's dominance, which has helped the Red Sox get off to a great start this season.

"He's been tremendous, and I think it's a matter of him being healthy," Boone says of Buchholz. "He had the back issues a year ago, and I think that really prevented him from really finishing his pitches, really getting out in front and getting the baseball down with his fastball, his breaking ball, his changeup. He elevated more pitches last year, they weren't as crisp, and that's why he got hit around.

"Now we're seeing the Clay Buchholz that's had all this promise throughout his career. It's starting to come to fruition. Him and Lester -- really anchoring this rotation."

Cora thinks that much of Buchholz's success stems from his effectiveness in pitching inside to lefties.

"He's throwing that four-seamer up and in, and then he's throwing that comebacker like Greg Maddux used to do, but at 93-94 [mph], a little bit harder than Maddux used to. When he does that, it opens up the outside of the plate, he can use his changeup, he can use his backdoor breaking ball, and he's very comfortable doing it."