Red Sox - Inside Pitch

Sox right fielder J.D. Drew thinks he’s uncovered an unorthodox method to shoo away the back pain that seems to pop up every season.

The outfielder insists that it involved a bowling lane and a PBA-regulation bowling ball.

The 32-year-old Drew took up PBA-style bowling with his father-in-law at a bowling alley near his Georgia home this winter, and the pastime kept his lumbar loose and limber when baseball activity once again started.

“I was looking for something to keep me loose,” said Drew, who did experience back spasms after the long flight to Japan that knocked him out of the first three games of the season. “I usually get a tighter lower back as the off-season goes through. You tend to get some soreness in some elements that don’t really bother you during the (baseball) year, but then in the off-season you start to scar down.

“Then when you start in again in January, you’re like ‘Oh man,’” added Drew, of the back discomfort that has been a constant nearly every big league spring training. “I thought to myself maybe I’ll bowl to keep my back loose during the off-season, and I’ve got to say that it’s really worked. I haven’t had any problems with my back this spring.”

Drew likewise hasn’t had any off-the-field problems as he did last summer when the right fielder was understandably preoccupied with the health of his baby son Jack, who was born with a hip problem that ultimately required surgery.

The family difficulties manifested themselves into one of the worst offensive seasons of Drew’s career, as it took a late September surge to get him to his final .270 batting average and a career-worst 11 home runs.

With two-year-old Jack in better health and a healthy baby girl named Ella born this November, Drew is poised for something closer to the .284 batting average, 18 home runs and 62 RBIs he’s averaged over his nine-year career.

“That first transition year (with a new team) is always a difficult year because you’re getting to know the coaching staff and your teammates, and they’re getting to know you too,” said Drew, who is second on the Sox with a .340 batting average along with three home runs and 12 RBIs. “I think I found my role with this team and the end of last season, and for me that is a big key.”

Red Sox 11, Rangers 3: Designated hitter David Ortiz finally got in touch with his power swing and blasted an opposite field grand slam to pace a Sox offense that scored 11 runs on 11 hits Friday. Daisuke Matsuzaka battled through 5 1/3 innings with a big cushion to improve to 4-0, and the bullpen pitched 3 2/3 innings of scoreless baseball.

Notes, Quotes

• 2B Dustin Pedroia leads the American League with 10 multi-hit games this season and is tied with OF Manny Ramirez and 1B Kevin Youkilis for second in the AL with 24 hits. The reigning Rookie of the Year is among the hottest hitters in the AL this month, and is riding a seven-game streak during which he’s hit at a .433 clip with a home run and seven RBIs. Pedroia got off to a slow start at the dish, but has clearly turned it on during his current hitting surge.

• 1B Kevin Youkilis has done a marvelous job defensively while filling in for 3B Mike Lowell, currently on the shelf with his left thumb injury. Youkilis was originally a third baseman while advancing through Boston’s minor league system, but transformed himself into a Gold Glove defender at first base after long hours of hard work. Youkilis has started eight of the last nine games at the hot corner, and has handled 31 errorless chances within that time frame.

• SS Alex Cora underwent an MRI on his right elbow that didn’t reveal “anything alarming,” but Sox manager Terry Francona said that the utility infielder will continue to stay on the 15-day disabled list until his elbow is pain-free. Cora has attempted to play through the injury before landing on the DL, but was having significant difficulty making the throw across the diamond from the shortstop position.

• DH David Ortiz snapped out of a 0-for-17 slump on Wednesday night, but took a quantum leap forward in the confidence department on with a Friday night power display. Ortiz made hard contact in each of his at bats, collected a pair of hits and bashed a game-breaking grand slam for his second home run of the season. The home run was only the second extra-base hit of the season for “Big Papi”, and his first since a hitting home run in Oakland on April 2.

• RHP Bartolo Colon threw 25 short tosses on both Thursday and Friday, and reported no setbacks with his right oblique muscle. The 34-year-old right-hander hasn’t progressed to long toss yet, but may begin stepping up his throwing program soon. Colon, if healthy, could become a worthy starting option for the Sox over the next few months, particularly if some of Boston’s younger starters continue along their current learning curve.

By The Numbers: 11-for-11—OF Jacoby Ellsbury has shown the he has speed to burn on the basepaths by staying perfect in stolen base attempts during his short big-league career, through April 13.

Quote To Note: “David feels such a huge responsibility for what we’re doing, things start snowballing, and then all of a sudden you get yourself into a rut. Sometimes I think even guys like David need to be reminded of how good they are.”—Manager Terry Francona on slumping DH David Ortiz.

Roster Report

Medical Watch:

1B-3B Kevin Youkilis (bruised left big toe) had to come out of the game April 16 after fouling a pitch off his foot. He is day-to-day.

CF Coco Crisp (hamstring) did not play April 16 and is day-to-day.

INF Alex Cora (sore right elbow) hasn’t played since April 9, and he was placed on the disabled list on April 16.

3B Mike Lowell (sore left thumb) went on the 15-day disabled list April 10. He will miss two to four weeks.

RHP Curt Schilling (right shoulder) began experiencing discomfort during the offseason and has been out all spring. Schilling was placed on the 60-day disabled list as he undergoes a muscle-strengthening program. Schilling is expected to be out until at least the All-Star break, and his legendary career might be over.