01:00 AM EDT on Wednesday, August 17, 2005

BY STEVEN KRASNER
Journal Sports Writer

DETROIT -- Jonathan (as he prefers to be called) Papelbon made his second big-league start last night.

And though the rookie right-hander didn't figure in the decision, he pitched well, allowing two runs on six hits in five innings. He fanned six, and has earned himself at least one more start, in Anaheim on Sunday afternoon as the replacement for the injured Wade Miller (tired right shoulder) in the rotation.

This time, Papelbon, who had given up two earned runs in 5 1/3 innings in his major-league debut on July 31 against Minnesota at Fenway Park, was firing up fastballs that were clocked as high as 97 mph, settling mostly in the 93-94 range.

But it was his splitter and changeup that seemed improved this time around, said manager Terry Francona, who also has been impressed by the 24-year-old's "presence" on the mound.

Papelbon, a 6-foot-4, 230-pounder who has worked his way from Portland to Pawtucket to Boston this year, said he was more comfortable last night in his 84-pitch outing.

"The second go-round, my nerves were a lot calmer," said Papelbon, who was thrust back into the rotation after a week of relief duty for the PawSox.

"My adrenaline wasn't through the roof like it was in Fenway. My "feel" pitches (splitter, changeup) I could feel better tonight. I started to breathe a little harder in the fifth inning, but I just wanted to keep the team in the game," said Papelbon, admitting to tiring late in his outing.

The good soldier

Here today, gone tomorrow.

That was the case for Red Sox infielder Kevin Youkilis.

Youkilis started last night's game at third base, but after the game he was optioned to Pawtucket. Again.

It has been Youkilis's misfortune to still have options, which makes it easy for the Red Sox to send him back to Pawtucket when a roster spot has to be cleared for someone else. First baseman John Olerud (left hamstring) will be activated from the disabled list in time for today's series finale against the Tigers at Comerica Park.

Prior to last night, Youkilis already had been optioned to Pawtucket and subsequently recalled from the PawSox three times this season after having begun the year in Boston.

By now, Youkilis is used to it, though he admits he's looking forward to 2007, when he'll be past the point where he can be optioned to Pawtucket without the Red Sox running the risk of losing him through the waiver process.

"There's crazy stuff that revolves around the game. You just have to roll with the punches," said Youkilis, who was making his first start since July 9.

"It's a numbers game. I can't do anything about it. It's like you're up here doing your dream job and it's taken away from you. But I don't go down there (to Pawtucket) sulking. I focus on the game and try to get better. I still get to play baseball. I get to play every day and have fun," said Youkilis, who entered the game batting .286 (18 for 63), with one homer and nine RBI.

One thing that helps Youkilis deal with his yo-yo status is that Francona has reassured him that the organization knows he can play at the big-league level.

"He's at that point in his career where he's the guy (going) up and down," said Francona. "At some point, it won't be that way for him. But he's a good player. He really pays attention. He watches everything. You have to be a good hitter (to be in the big leagues), but he's going to get better."

A matter of mechanics

Curt Schilling has had well-documented struggles this season, especially recently.

Francona says his troubles in the last three games, in which Schilling had been raked for seven earned runs in 3 1/3 innings, stem from mechanics and not a weakened surgically repaired right ankle.

The Sox manager said Schilling seemed to be drifting away from the hitter, trying to get more on the ball, instead of driving directly toward the hitter off the pitching rubber.

Eventually, Francona said, Schilling will be moved to the rotation, but not until Keith Foulke (left knee) is ready to return to the bullpen.

Francona said he doesn't want "to drag that out too long." In any event, Francona said he had "no doubt" Schilling could return to form.

"I would be crazy to doubt him. He's done too much. He wills himself to be good. I don't want to say he's fighting himself, but he's trying to find himself," said Francona.

Injury updates

Trot Nixon (left oblique) has progressed to the point where he will hit against Foulke in a simulated game Friday in Anaheim. Nixon may be nearing a rehab assignment, possibly by early next week, though Francona declined to be specific on that score.

Foulke also seemingly could be headed for a rehab assignment next week, though Francona stayed away from making a prediction on that possibility, as well.

In injury news that wasn't as encouraging, Wade Miller's throwing program has been pushed back. The right-hander, who was placed on the disabled list Aug. 9 because of a stiff right shoulder, had been expected to play catch either Monday or yesterday, but was held back, presumably because his shoulder still was too weak. Now the Sox are hoping he can play catch this weekend in Anaheim.

Around the bases

Left fielder Manny Ramirez was charged with his third error in the last four games, overrunning a single by Chris Shelton in the fifth, giving the Tigers' first baseman an extra base . . . Edgar Renteria absolutely scalded the ball in his first two at-bats but had nothing to show for it except a groundout to third and a lineout to short. In his third at-bat, Renteria shattered his bat -- and dunked a single over shortstop . . . Because of the shift on David Ortiz, third baseman Brandon Inge took the throw at second base for a strikeout-caught stealing double play in the sixth . . . Ortiz is batting .579 (11 for 19) with three doubles, four homers and 12 RBI in his last four games. The multiple-homer game was Ortiz's sixth of the season (and second in the last four games) and 18th of his career . . . Mike Remlimger, who had not retired any of the six batters he faced over his first two appearances for the Red Sox, notched three outs in the ninth. But he also gave up four runs, coming on a single, two walks and Craig Monroe's grand slam. His Sox earned-run average went from infinity to 54.00 . . . Jason Varitek is the ninth member of the Sox to hit a homer from each side of the plate. Bill Mueller was the last one, on July 29, 2003, in Texas.