BOSTON -- For all the Manny-being-Manny mumbo-jumbo over the last six seasons in Boston, it's hard to argue with his offensive prowess.

His bat, especially following the explosive punch of David Ortiz in the order, is second to none and Manny Ramirez proved that point again last night.

With his run-scoring double in the bottom of the first inning, Ramirez collected his 100th RBI on the season and has reached that milestone for nine consecutive seasons, which is the most by any active player. With the Red Sox, he ties Bobby Doerr and Jimmie Foxx for 100-plus RBI seasons with the club at six.

When Ramirez belts his next home run, he will tie the major-league record for most consecutive seasons (9) with 35 homers and 100 RBI, joining Foxx, Sammy Sosa and Rafael Palmeiro. Ramirez has had an interesting tenure in Boston amid trade talks, his decision to remain silent publicly, and being ridiculed for his sometimes lazy style of play. But the one constant has been his ability to hit and that will likely carry him straight to the Hall of Fame when his playing days are over.

Gabbard the likely one

According to the Red Sox game notes, the club's starting pitcher for tomorrow at Anaheim was still posted as TBA. But it appears Kason Gabbard will be the go-to guy. The 24-year-old left-hander did not travel with the PawSox to Ottawa on Friday night and reportedly threw a side session at Fenway Park on Saturday. He was slated to start for Pawtucket on Friday, but was scratched at the last minute. He's already made one spot start for the Red Sox, going 5 1/3 innings and allowing eight hits and two earned runs in a 5-2 loss to the Seattle Mariners. With Pawtucket, he's 1-7 with a 5.23 E.R.A. in nine games (eight starts).

Wells gets his chance

Veteran lefty David Wells (2-2) will make only his seventh start of the season for the Red Sox today in the series finale with the Yankees. The 43-year-old, who has battled knee problems all season due to offseason surgery, hasn't spoken with the local media for close to three months.

Yesterday, however, Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein was meeting with the press corp for about 20 minutes when Wells meandered his way over to the scrum to listen in. When he asked his boss if everything was okay, Epstein said he had things under control.

Damon keeps things going

Some players deal with the media differently, including New York center fielder Johnny Damon. When he was in Boston -- he continues the practice with the Yankees -- he would spend several minutes answering any question, sometimes the same one, without hesitation. On the field, Damon has been tearing into his former club with vengeance.

"The things we loved about him we've come to hate," said Boston mananger Terry Francona .

Entering last night's game he was 9-for-18 with 3 doubles, 1 triple, 2 homers and 8 RBI in the series. He's hitting .472 with 12 RBI in his last eight games against Boston.

Varitek update

Red Sox catcher and captain Jason Varitek, who is recovering from knee surgery to repair torn cartilage, will join the club on the second leg of its upcoming road trip in Seattle. Francona said yesterday he's hoping Varitek will be able to return to the lineup on or around Sept. 1. The skipper also said because of the nature of the position, it's likely Varitek will need a couple of rehab starts in Pawtucket before he returns to the lineup.

Gonzalez sits again

Red Sox shortstop Alex Gonzalez was not penciled into the lineup for the second consecutive game last night. He tweaked his knee leaping for a line drive in Tampa on the club's last road trip, but it's not something of major concern for the Sox. According to Francona, Gonzalez could have played, but his career numbers (1-for-12) against Mike Mussina aren't all that great. Plus, it gives him another two days off to rest his knee.

No deal for Moyer

The Red Sox inquired about lefty Jamie Moyer -- dealt from the Seattle Mariners to Philadelphia late Saturday night for two minor league prospects -- but opted not to pursue the veteran.

As a fly-ball pitcher, Moyer would have been susceptible to the long ball, particularly at Fenway. Pitching half the time at Safeco Field, the biggest ballpark in the American League, Moyers had allowed 25 homers for the Mariners.

The Sox believe Tim Wakefield will return in less than two weeks, meaning that Moyer would have made only two starts before the knuckleballer comes back to claim his spot in the rotation. One of those turns would have come next weekend in Seattle, discouraging the Mariners from the deal.

DiNardo making progress

Lenny DiNardo returned to Fenway yesterday after pitching three innings for the Sox' Gulf Coast League Saturday. DiNardo pitched three scoreless innings and allowed one hit.

DiNardo, who has been sidelined since late May due to a neck strain, is scheduled to pitch for Double-A Portland tomorrow night, then will throw again Saturday for Pawtucket against Rochester at Fenway.

Extra bases

As expected, the Red Sox optioned reliever Jermaine Van Buren to Pawtucket yesterday, and recalled lefty reliever Javier Lopez. . . . Prior to last night's game, Red Sox slugger David Ortiz was honored as the Player of the Month for July. He was presented with a plaque by team owner John Henry. jmcdonal@projo.com / (401) 277-7340

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