OAKLAND, Calif. -- David Wells won't be the only pitcher returning from the disabled list next week.

In addition to the veteran lefty, the Sox are hopeful that reliever Keith Foulke (elbow) will be ready to be activated after two rehab appearances in the minor leagues this weekend.

Foulke, who has been out since June, will pitch for Class-A Lowell tomorrow night, then pitch for Pawtucket Sunday. If he gets through those two outings without incident, the Sox could activate him Monday, when Wells also is expected back.

The Boston bullpen has been improved by the contributions of Manny Delcarmen and Craig Hansen, but could use a veteran arm, too.

"We've been desperately trying to not overuse people," said Terry Francona. "When (Foulke) is healthy, he can throw forever. He can throw multiple innings, he can face left-handers, he's experienced, and he's been in big situations. It will be a big plus for us when he comes back."

Foulke is suffering through his second consecutive injury-plagued season. He lost a good chunk of last year with knee problems, and this year was sidelined with elbow issues and is frustrated by his lack of contributions.

"I need to get healthy this year and see if it works," he said, "or go home -- one of the two. I'm not going to come out and be a mediocre pitcher (next year). I'm not going to come out and carry a 5.00 E.R.A., I know that.

"I'll let you know when the season's over. I'm not going to continue to (fool) around like this -- it's a waste of my time and theirs."

Gabbard demoted

After yesterday's game, the Sox optioned pitcher Kason Gabbard to Pawtucket. The team will not make a corresponding roster move until tomorrow, when the Sox begin a seven-game homestand.

Gabbard made his major-league debut Saturday in Seattle, and though he was charged with the loss he pitched fairly well, giving up three runs (two earned) and eight hits in 5 2/3 innings.

"It's probably the best experience of my life," said Gabbard of his six-day stay in the big leagues. I learned "it's the same game (as in the minors) -- you still have to go out and pitch the same. When they give you the ball, you've got to do the job."

Whomever the Sox promote, it's likely to be for another brief stay, as the callup probably will be returned to the minor leagues Monday to make room for Wells on the roster.

One possibility: lefty Phil Seibel, who pitched an inning and a third yesterday for Pawtucket and is unscored upon in eight innings while striking out 13.

Around the bases

Second baseman Mark Loretta extended his hitting streak to seven games with a first-inning double. He's batting .424 (14-for-33) during that span . . . Manny Ramirez extended his hitting streak to 12 games. In that streak, he's hitting a torrid .500 (20-for-40), with four homers and 14 RBI . . . The loss was the Red Sox' third in a row in day games, dropping them to 18-11 in the daytime . . . The four sacrifice flies collected by the Red Sox Tuesday night matched a team record, with research going back only to 1954. The Sox had four sacrifice flies on Aug. 12, 1966 against Detroit and on Sept. 1, 2004 against Anaheim. The major-league mark is five, set by Seattle against Oakland on Aug. 7, 1988 . . . Doug Mirabelli threw out Bobby Crosby attempting to steal second in the sixth inning. It was just the fifth caught-stealing in 27 attempts for Mirabelli, who, to be fair, usually catches Tim Wakefield. Wakefield's knuckleball makes it extremely difficult to throw out opposing baserunners.

smcadam@projo.com / (401) 277-7340