01:00 AM EDT on Tuesday, September 27, 2005

BY STEVEN KRASNER and JOE McDONALD
Journal Sports Writers

BOSTON -- In his own words, Red Sox outfielder Johnny Damon has turned his frown upside down.

Boston's center fielder has been sporting an injury-induced grimace for much of the season, most recently due to a shoulder injury. Damon said prior to last night's rainout that he is back to 100 percent and ready for another run at a World Series Championship.

Damon's contract expires at the end of this season and he has put up good numbers, despite all the aches and pains. He is hitting .314 with 10 homers and 74 RBI from the leadoff spot, and earlier in the season recorded a 29-game hitting streak.

Now, in the final week, the team is depending on him being healthy.

"If I go, it makes things a lot easier for our ballclub," said Damon. "I am finally healthy. I can honestly say that now. My shoulder is not bothering me. I'm happy. I'm excited about this week."

No doubt having last night off due to the weather was a somewhat welcome feeling, not only for Damon but the rest of the club as well. It is tough, however, for players to go through their daily rituals only to have the game postponed.

"I think the idea is to make this into our advantage somehow," said Boston manager Terry Francona. "Because of the importance of these games, we probably are going to have a lot of guys play 18 innings [today]. Maybe it will be 20 innings, maybe it will be 22, who knows? Whatever we're asked to do, we'll always try to make it to our advantage. That's the best way to do it."

Youkilis in the swing

Kevin Youkilis, who suffered a fracture at the tip of his right ring finger, was preparing to take some swings for the first time since suffering the injury Sept. 18.

Youkilis said he would be testing different types of padding to cushion the vibrations that travel down the bat when contact is made.

"Throwing's not a problem," said Youkilis. "I can grip the bat. It hurts a little, but I think I'll be okay. The doctors told me I should be ready for the ALCS."

Francona appreciates Youkilis' desire to try to come back, but didn't seem overly optimistic about the infielder's chances to come back soon.

"It's got to hurt," said Francona during his pregame chat with the media. "It's awful. The doctor will check him, but we have to see what he can handle and how productive he can be."

No longer left out

Trot Nixon, who has been held out of the lineup against left-handed pitchers often during his career, has been able to hit his way into the lineup against lefties late this season.

Even though the Blue Jays are slated to start left-handers in the final three games of the series, Nixon is likely to be in the starting lineup, albeit a bit lower in the batting order than fifth, where he generally hits against right-handers.

This season, Nixon is batting .250 against lefties with one homer and nine RBI in 72 at-bats.

"He's staying on the ball pretty good against lefties," said Francona. "Righties can get you out, left-handers can embarrass you (as a left-handed hitter). But Trot's handling them very well."

Nothing new to report

Francona said there was nothing new to report relative to the health and/or availability of Keith Foulke. Foulke had said last Friday during a weekly radio appearance that he had been shut down for the year. Francona has said the official decision hasn't been made.

But then again, the right-hander is 5-5 with a 5.91 earned-run average and four blown saves and hasn't pitched since Sept. 18, so clearly the Sox aren't willing to risk using him a tight situation.