TOKYO — Following a blistering weekend in which he hit two homers and knocked in seven runs in exhibition game against Japanese teams, J.D. Drew couldn’t wait for the season to start.

Then, when it did, Drew couldn’t.

Drew experienced some lower back soreness during batting practice and when he tried to run on the field to get loose minutes before pregame introductions, found he couldn’t get comfortable.

The Sox tabbed Brandon Moss to replace Drew and Moss responded with a go-ahead RBI single in the sixth and a solo homer to tie the game with one out in the ninth.

With one more game left here, it’s unlikely Drew will play Wednesday, especially since the Sox then have a nine-hour flight to Los Angeles immediately after the game.

smcadam@projo.com