Getting the utility infielder playing time has been manager Terry Francona's goal, so Kevin Youkilis got the start at first base last night against Oakland.

01:00 AM EDT on Tuesday, May 17, 2005

BY SEAN McADAM
Journal Sports Writer

OAKLAND -- Last winter, the Red Sox asked Kevin Youkilis to bring a first baseman's glove to spring training to learn the position in February and March. But it wasn't until last night, nearly one-quarter of the way through the schedule, that the Sox asked him to use it in a regular-season game.

Youkilis entered the visitors' clubhouse at McAfee Coliseum and found his name on the lineup card, hitting seventh, with Kevin Millar getting the night off. Manager Terry Francona had been wanting to find a place in the lineup for Youkilis, particularly after the infielder contributed nicely with some spot duty on the Sox' last road trip.

But Millar went on a hot streak during the last homestand and Francona was understandably reluctant to sit him. Last night, however, proved to be the right opportunity as the Sox opened a three-game series against the Oakland A's.

"I've got to get him in there a little bit," Francona said of Youkilis. "I also want him to play third a little bit."

Indeed, Youkilis will likely sub for Bill Mueller either tonight or tomorrow afternoon as the trip winds down. But last night, Youkilis was at his adopted position of first.

"It's just a matter of talking to yourself about different responsibilities (at the position) and focusing on what you have to do," said Youkilis. "At third base, you just make the plays and react. At first, you have to hold runners, take some cutoff throws -- things like that."

Youkilis has been getting a tutorial from third-base coach Dale Sveum, who doubles as the team's infield coach. Sveum has talked to Youkilis about proper positioning and how to turn the double play, which can be a challenge for a right-handed hitting first baseman.

"People have stressed the importance of getting the lead runner, of making a good throw to second," Youkilis said.

An eager student, Youkilis has been seeking help wherever he can find it to learn the position.

"When David McCarty was here," Youkilis said, "he tried to help me out. Millar just says, 'Don't do what I do.' "

Standing nearby, Millar reacted with mock outrage.

"That's (wrong)!" said Millar. "I've been playing a good first base this year."

Youkilis agreed, adding that he believes Millar has been unfairly labeled as a defensive liability at first, and cited a number of diving plays Millar has made of late at the position.

Beyond learning the nuances of a new position, Youkilis has been trying to maintain his stroke at the plate. In just seven games this season, Youkilis had hit .391 (9-for-23) with four RBI. On the Sox' trip to Texas and Detroit, with infielders Mueller and Mark Bellhorn battling the flu, Youkilis got some playing time and responded at the plate.

On April 30 in Arlington, Youkilis got the start at third and delivered three hits. The next day, Youkilis added another hit, two walks and an RBI. As the trip continued, he knocked in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning to give the Sox a 4-3 win over the Tigers. He started both ends of the May 8 doubleheader against Seattle, but since then, his playing time has been almost nonexistent.

The only two games he got into were as a late-inning defensive replacement.

Youkilis used David Wells' simulated game last Friday at Seattle's Safeco Field as a means of staying sharp.

"I had a lot of at-bats against David," said Youkilis, "and I tried to treat it as a real game. I went in with a good mindset, and not just going up there swinging at everything. You have to take whatever opportunities you can get when you're not playing much."

The Red Sox believe that Youkilis is an improved batter over his rookie season, when he hit .260 with seven homers and 35 RBI in 72 games. But with that recognition comes the realization that if regular playing time can't be found for him, he may be better off returning to Pawtucket, where he can play everyday.