MLB

Youkilis likely unavailable for Red Sox’s final 2 games

BALTIMORE — As the Red Sox try to hold off the Rays and reach the playoffs, they will have to do it without Kevin Youkilis.

Before last night’s 6-2 loss to the Orioles that erased the Red Sox’s wild-card lead, Boston manager Terry Francona was pessimistic about the chances of Youkilis returning to the lineup anytime soon. The third baseman hasn’t played since Sept. 15, and is dealing with both a sports hernia and hip bursitis.

“He’s trying so hard, but he’s pretty sore,” Francona said. “He did a little light running [Sunday] and he’s pretty sore.

“I don’t think we’ve pulled the plug, but, to be realistic, though, I think it’s an uphill battle.”

In Youkilis’ absence, the Red Sox have been playing Mike Aviles and Jed Lowrie at third. Lowrie played last night and, after going 2-for-3 with a double and triple in Sunday night’s 7-4 win in 14 innings over the Yankees, he hit a solo home run to lead off the fourth inning that gave the Red Sox a 2-1 lead. He finished the game 1-for-4.

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After Jason Varitek was hit in the knee by an Ivan Nova pitch in the second game of Sunday’s doubleheader in The Bronx — which forced him to leave the game two innings later — the Red Sox captain was a late scratch from last night’s lineup.

Francona had said before the game that Boston’s other catcher, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, would follow Varitek to the pregame bullpen session, in order to make sure that Varitek would be able to make it through the game without incident.

“He was having a tough time,” Francona said. “We had sent him out early. We wanted to see if he’d loosen up, and kind of kept abreast of it while he was loosening up and he said this wasn’t a good idea.”

Varitek, who was walking with a limp after the game, said he did not know if he would be available for today’s game.

Then, Saltalamacchia left the game in the bottom of the eighth after a foul tip caught him on his collarbone. He was taken for X-rays, which were negative, and he was replaced in the lineup by rookie Ryan Lavarnway.

“The loss is a lot worse than the stinger,” said Saltalamacchia, who went 0-for-4 before leaving the game. “It kind of missed everything. It didn’t touch the chest protector around the collarbone.

“I want to [play today]. I’ve just got to come to the field, get treatment and throw and see how it feels. I’m pretty sore right now. Hopefully it gets better overnight.”

As added insurance behind the plate, the Red Sox called up catcher Luis Exposito from Triple-A Pawtucket before last night’s game.

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Francona confirmed left-hander Erik Bedard will start tonight for the Red Sox against Orioles rookie left-hander Zach Britton and left-hander Jon Lester will start for Boston on three days’ rest against right-hander Alfredo Simon on Wednesday.

“I’ve got a lot of faith,” Beckett said after the game. “I’ve been with Lester for a long time, and I don’t think there’s anybody I’d rather have out there. [Bedard] has done a good job since he’s come over here. He’s had some tough luck.”

Francona didn’t expect Bedard to be limited in tonight’s start, despite lasting only 2 2/3 innings in his last start on Sept. 20 after missing over two weeks with left knee soreness and a lat strain.

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With a single leading off the bottom of the sixth inning, Orioles designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero recorded his 2,587th career hit to move past Julio Franco and become the all-time hits leader among players born in the Dominican Republic.