PHILADELPHIA - Coco Crisp left the game for a pinch hitter in the third inning because of a soft-tissue strain on the top of his left hand, a problem that cropped up during a swing in his first-inning at-bat.

Crisp grounded out to second in that at-bat. Manager Terry Francona didn’t think the strain was serious and said he thought Crisp would be able to play tomorrow night, when, after a day off today, the Sox will host the St. Louis Cardinals in the first game of a three-game series at Fenway Park.

Brandon Moss batted for Crisp with the bases loaded and two out. He delivered a two-run single to right center, boosting Boston’s lead to 6-1. Jacoby Ellsbury moved from left field to Crisp’s spot in center, with Moss taking over in left when the Sox went back on the field in the bottom of the third.

skrasner@projo.com