CINCINNATI -- Sean Casey played eight years in Cincinnati, and when he was with the Reds, he was called "Mr. Mayor" for his affable personality.

The fans remembered him fondly when he came to the plate for the first time last night, giving him a long ovation. Casey acknowledged it by stepping out of the batter’s box, doffing his helmet and holding it out to the fans.

"That was special," said Casey afterward. "I had a great relationship with the fans and to get that kind of ovation was one of the best moments of my career."

Adding to career moments, Casey dunked a single to left in the seventh inning. It was the 1,500th hit of his career.

Earlier, Casey said he would appeal the three-game suspension he was given for his part in the June 5 brawl with the Rays at Fenway Park.

Grounded in Cleveland

Jason Varitek, who has been stricken with strep throat, did not fly with the Sox to Cincinnati after Thursday night’s game. He tried to make it here last night, but flight issues left him stranded in Cleveland for a while, so he did not make it to the park during the game.

Francona wasn’t expecting him to play, but thought he’d be available as an emergency in case something happened to Kevin Cash.

Cash, though, made it through last night’s game without a problem.

Here and there

-- Justin Masterson has thrown at least six innings in each of his first five starts in the majors, the seventh Red Sox pitcher since 1965 to be able to make that boast.

-- Dustin Pedroia, who was 2-for-26 on the homestand, went 1-for-4, a one-out single to right off Cincinnati closer Francisco Cordero in the ninth.

-- Jacoby Ellsbury has hit safely in each of his four games since missing three starts because of a jammed right wrist. But he has had only one hit in each of those games, going 4-for-18 over that stretch. His hit last night was a double. He was robbed of another, most likely another double, on a superb defensive play by first baseman Joey Votto.

-- The Red Sox are only 4-11 in their last 15 road games.