Red Sox - Inside Pitch

Sox right-hander Manny Delcarmen was the toast of spring training after he dropped 10 pounds and appeared primed and ready for a prominent role in the Boston bullpen.

The added responsibility was to include possibly taking some reps at closer when Jonathan Papelbon needed a blow, but the early-season optimism and confident chatter has simmered down considerably for the Hyde Park native.

Location has long been the biggest bugaboo for Delcarmen on the mound and it seems to again be one of the culprits -– along with the flu bug and the insane April travel schedule that had Delcarmen promising he was never going back to Japan –- behind the bloated 7.30 ERA after his first 16 appearances.

For Delcarmen this season, his strikeout numbers are strikingly similar to season’s past, but his WHIP (1.70), batting average against (.314) and slugging percentage (.549) against are all much higher than his career norms and indicate his pitches are catching too much of the middle.

“It seems like every time he makes a mistake now, he doesn’t repeat a pitch and somebody puts a good swing on it,” said Sox manager Terry Francona, on the heels of another unsatisfying performance from the hard-throwing righty on Sunday. “We could pitch him in the fifth of a blowout game and leave him out there, which would probably be good for him.”

Whatever the case, the bullpen’s inability to find a right-handed setup solution has put undue stress on Hideki Okajima and Papelbon –- a situation that could have long-range ramifications if it isn’t addressed now.

The Sox aren’t likely to stop searching for a suitable arm to fill the setup slot, and 24-year-old righty Craig Hansen’s second call-up from Class AAA Pawtucket isn’t a coincidence. Hansen was impressive in racking up three strikeouts during a 1 2/3-inning stint against the Angels last month, but was roughed up for a pair of runs while earning a hold in Monday night’s victory.

“He’s a lot more compact with his release and his mechanics and that’s really allowed him to work down in the strike zone with his fastball and slider much more consistently,” said Sox director of player development Mike Hazen. “There’s a consistency and a command to that slider now, and he’s got two major-league weapons when it’s working with the fastball.”

Delcarmen and Hansen are leagues better than anything the Sox could possibly hope to find on baseball’s open market, so patience will be the word for both hurlers.

Red Sox 6, Tigers 3: First baseman Kevin Youkilis, designated hitter David Ortiz and third baseman Mike Lowell each cranked out home runs and powered the Sox to their fourth straight victory. The start was literally a wild one for right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka, as he walked a career-high eight batters but allowed only a single run on two hits.

Notes, Quotes

• RHP Curt Schilling reported that his progress has moved faster than anticipated and he will attempt a throwing session on Tuesday afternoon. Schilling hasn’t picked up a baseball since January, but reported that his shoulder/biceps problem has subsided since receiving a cortisone shot in February. The Sox didn’t expect Schilling before the All-Star break -– at the earliest –- and the veteran big-game pitcher has vowed to pitch at some point this season.

• DH David Ortiz has what Sox manager Terry Francona termed a case of tendinitis in his surgically-repaired right knee, and it’s a situation the Sox will have to manage until the “spot” of pain dissipates from his joint. Francona opined that the warm weather will be a large help to Ortiz’s creaky knee, and the tendinitis hasn’t really affected “Big Papi” at the plate over the last three weeks. Ortiz is hitting .312 over his last 18 games with five home runs and 22 RBIs as he slowly emerges from his season-opening slump.

• 3B Mike Lowell finally collected his first home run and RBIs of the 2008 season on Monday night after setting a Sox record for third baseman with 120 RBIs last season. The Sox third baseman went through 15 games this season without collecting an RBI, which was the worst RBI drought of his distinguished 10-year big league career. After an early-season slump and a left thumb injury, Lowell looks like he is finally rounding into run-producing form.

• OF Jacoby Ellsbury continues to be the pace-setter for the Sox at the top of their lineup and ranks among the AL’s top 10 in runs scored (second with 25), stolen bases (third with 11) and on-base percentage (fourth with .415) this season. The Sox are also an amazing 12-2 when Ellsbury scores at least one run this season, and are also averaging a scant 2.13 runs per game when the speedy outfielder is missing from the lineup card.

• RHP Bartolo Colon threw two innings during an extended spring training start against an Orioles team in Sarasota on Monday afternoon. The 34-year-old Colon allowed a single hit and registered a strikeout during the two scoreless frames, and reported no health setbacks following his first mound appearance in nearly a month. Colon reported back to the rest of the Sox team in Detroit following the start, and could be ready for a start at Class AAA Pawtucket this weekend.

By The Numbers: 84.4—Stolen-base success rate percentage of OF Coco Crisp during his career with the Red Sox, which ranks highest in club history of any player with at least 50 steal attempts.

Quote To Note: “I told Manny, ‘You’re the closest thing to Yogi Berra in the modern era that we have.’ Manny looked at me and said, ‘What do you mean?’ I said, ‘When I hear you talk, every player knows exactly what you mean, but you say it in a manner that’s unique to you.”—Player agent Scott Boras, talking to the Boston Globe about a conversation between himself and OF Manny Ramirez.

Roster Report

Medical Watch:

DH David Ortiz (sore right knee) was scratched from the lineup on May 4. Ortiz is day to day.

OF Brandon Moss (appendectomy) was placed on the disabled list on emergency surgery. If all goes well, he could begin a rehab stint on May 15.

OF J.D. Drew (tightness in left quadriceps) left the April 29 game. He missed three games but returned May 3.

OF Jacoby Ellsbury (sore groin) did not play May 1. He played on May 2 against the Rays.

1B Sean Casey (strained right hip flexor) went on the 15-day disabled list April 26.

RHP Curt Schilling (right shoulder) began experiencing discomfort during the offseason, and he opened the season 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, but will start throwing in mid-May.

INF Alex Cora (sore right elbow) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 10.