Jonathan Papelbon executed virtually every one of the 18 pitches he threw in the ninth inning against the Tigers, yet still had to walk off the mound carrying his first blown save of the season. There was a check-swing, infield hit from Matt Joyce, Sox shortstop Julio Lugo’s 10th error of the season on Edgar Renteria’s slow roller, a perfectly executed sacrifice bunt by Ivan Rodriguez, Curtis Granderson’s run-scoring grounder to second, and finally, a broken-bat blooper from Placido Polanco, marking the first time in 20 chances Detroit had won this season when trailing going into the ninth. Kevin Youkilis hit 2 home runs and Mike Lowell added three hits including a home run and a double, but because Julio Lugo wasn’t able to execute on defense, the comeback wasn’t to be.
Sox Notes: With two steals from Jacoby Ellsbury and one from J.D. Drew (his first of the year), the Red Sox have now stolen 20 straight bases. The team’s previous high was 18 in 1973. Kevin Youkilis became only the second Red Sox to hit two home runs and strike out three times in one game since 1956. Brian Daubach did the same on July 7, 2002. Bartolo Colon (oblique) is scheduled to make his next rehab start Saturday for Triple-A Pawtucket against Norfolk. The right-hander is slated to throw approximately three innings. A day after making 35-40 tosses to kick off his throwing program, Curt Schilling (biceps/shoulder) reported no soreness. He will repeat the regimen today.
