Red Sox - Inside Pitch

Kevin Youkilis has taken enormous steps in each of his three full seasons.

He has made such quantum leaps in every facet of his game that American League All-Star recognition doesn’t seem like such a stretch considering his efforts over the first month of this season. It’s also no monumental stretch to say that the bearded infielder has carried the Sox through the first quarter of the season.

With that in mind, it seems only appropriate that this season marks his first appearance on the All-Star ballot, as a first baseman.

The Gold Glover has—because of injuries—shifted seamlessly between first base and third base this season while playing spectacular, mistake-free defense at both corner infield spots.

“He wins a Gold Glove at first, he goes to third and he plays a major league-caliber third base,” Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. “You can hit him anywhere in the lineup. He works the count. He really has turned into a very good major league player.

“It is appreciated. And you don’t have to run and check with him every day. You just kind of throw his name in and he handles it. He just goes about his business.”

Youkilis is hitting .313 with seven home runs and 27 RBIs through his first 35 games of the season.

Youkilis has consistently kept his batting average above .300 this season, and he has already hit in five different spots up and down the batting order.

What bodes even better for both Youkilis and his Sox teammates is that the baseball calendar has turned to the month of May. He hit .402 for the entire month of May last season to go along with six home runs and 22 RBIs.

“He’s a solid bat,” Sox third baseman Mike Lowell said. “I don’t think he’s ever going to change his approach whether he’s hitting first, second, third or fifth. He gives us a good at-bat every time.”

Red Sox 5, Tigers 1: Josh Beckett allowed a single run over seven innings for his fourth win of the season, and he also notched his 1,000th career strikeout. Kevin Youkilis smashed his third home run in the last two days, and Coco Crisp collected three hits to help lead the victory.

Notes, Quotes

• RHP Josh Beckett had the 1,000th strikeout of his career during his start against the Tigers. The Sox’s ace is starting to round into form. He has gone at least seven innings in each of his last four starts. Beckett is 3-1 with a 2.61 ERA in his last four starts.

• 1B Kevin Youkilis ranks among the American League top 10 in just about every offensive category, including batting average, RBIs, walks, slugging percentage, home runs, runs, on-base percentage and on-base-plus-slugging percentage. Youkilis hit in the third spot in the Sox batting order in place of Manny Ramirez on Thursday night as the slugging left fielder received the night off. The Sox first baseman has continually put out an All-Star level performance during the early portion of the 2008 season.

• 1B Sean Casey and SS Alex Cora both collected hits Thursday during rehab starts with Class AAA Pawtucket. Casey was the team’s designated hitter and collected a pair of hits, while Cora went 1-for-4 in his second minor league rehab appearance. Cora (sprained right elbow) and Casey (right hip strain) have come through healthy thus far, and they are expected to be activated for the upcoming series against Minnesota.

• RHP Bartolo Colon reported back to the team on Tuesday after pitching two innings in an extended spring training game in Florida on Monday afternoon, and he reported the normal soreness experienced after some mound work. Colon was checked out by the Sox medical staff, and he is scheduled for an appearance with Class AAA Pawtucket on Saturday. Manager Terry Francona also added that there’s no chance Colon will be used out of the bullpen if and when he makes the major league roster.

• RHP Curt Schilling threw a second side session of 25 throws from 60 feet with pitching coach John Farrell on flat ground before Thursday night’s game. Schilling reported no setbacks with his weakened right shoulder after the two throwing sessions and will repeat the side session during the four-game series at Minnesota 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:

OF Brandon Moss (appendectomy) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 3 after emergency surgery. If all goes well, he could begin a rehab stint May 15.

1B Sean Casey (strained right hip flexor) went on the 15-day disabled list April 26. He began a rehab assignment with Class AAA Pawtucket on May 8, and he could be activated as soon as May 10.

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. He began throwing in early May but said he had a long way to go before he’d be ready to return to action.

INF Alex Cora (sore right elbow) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 10. He began a rehab assignment with Class AAA Pawtucket on May 7, and he could return to the Red Sox during the weekend of May 9-11.

RHP Bartolo Colon (right oblique strain) is scheduled to pitch for Class AAA Pawtucket on May 10.