--RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka made his first start since Aug. 21 on Thursday and said he didn't feel any of the pain or soreness in his back that caused him to skip one turn in the rotation. For five innings, he held the Orioles to only two hits. But Matsuzaka said he lost his rhythm in the sixth inning when he gave up four runs and put the tying run on second base before being lifted for reliever Scott Atchison, who halted the damage by striking out Nolan Reimold. "I think I did a good job through the first five innings holding the opposing hitters (in check)," Matsuzaka said through translator Masa Hoshino. "But it was the first time since I aggravated my back that I threw at full strength, and I think there was a little bit of adjustment there that I needed to get over. In the sixth inning, I think I rushed a little bit through that inning."

--RHP Scott Atchison's job Thursday was simple: Bail out starter Daisuke Matsuzaka. With four runs already in and the tying run on second base in the sixth inning, Atchison replaced Matsuzaka and struck out Nolan Reimold to end the threat. He got five more outs and helped bridge the gap to closer Jonathan Papelbon. Of Atchison's six outs, three came via strikeout. "Atch, pitching the way he did, really clutched up for us," manager Terry Francona said. Added Atchison, "You want to have their trust enough that they can put you in those situations. Those are situations you want to pitch in."

--3B Adrian Beltre has used this season as a salary drive, and he seems destined for a strong finish. Beltre, who again will be a free agent this winter, belted his 25th homer, a leadoff shot in the second inning Thursday. Beltre leads AL third basemen with 25 homers and all third basemen with 92 RBI. Since 1939, he's only the second Red Sox third baseman to hit at least 25 homers in a season, joining Butch Hobson (30 in 1977, 28 in 1979). "He's having a huge year himself," C Victor Martinez said. "At the same time, he's helping this team, big time. He's pretty much been carrying us this whole year."

--1B Carlos Delgado won't play for the Red Sox this season. Delgado, who signed a minor league contract last month with the hope of being a left-handed-hitting complement to fill-in 1B Mike Lowell, has a tear in his left hip, his agent told the Boston Herald. Delgado, who was seen by Dr. Marc Phillipon on Wednesday in Vail, Colo., is expected to rejoin Class AAA Pawtucket and begin reviewing treatment options. Surgery isn't being ruled out. "He's extremely disappointed," Delgado's agent, David Sloane, said by phone. "It would be tough for a human being to not be disappointed. He wouldn't be human if he wasn't very upset about it." Delgado, 38, hasn't played in the majors since May 2009 after undergoing two surgeries on his right hip, including a labrum repair that was similar to Lowell's procedure after the 2008 season. Delgado began feeling discomfort in his left hip a few weeks ago after only five games with Pawtucket, and he hasn't played since Aug. 15.

BY THE NUMBERS
5 -- Consecutive seasons with at least 30 saves for closer Jonathan Papelbon, the first pitcher ever to record five straight 30-save seasons in his first five full seasons in the majors.

QUOTE TO NOTE
"We haven't played that well. We've won some series and stuff but we haven't really got a six or seven-game winning streak. (Winning) series might (get the Red Sox to the playoffs), but it might be difficult because the other two teams are playing good, too. Six games with 30-plus to play is probably not going to cut it just to win series. We're going to have to get six or seven or eight straight games (in a row) to win it." -- Red Sox third baseman Adrian Beltre.

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