BOSTON -- The Red Sox honored the U.S. Armed Forces on Wednesday with Seats for Soldiers, a program where nearly 1,000 tickets have been donated for use by men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces. Senior advisor and Rhode Island native Jeremy Kapstein also paid tribute to fallen serviceman Arizona Cardinals’ star Pat Tillman in his appearance at the 4th of July Parade in Bristol.

Minor-league awards

Boston announced its organization minor-league award-winners for June -- Portland first baseman Aaron Bates (player); Lancaster right-hander Richie Lentz (pitcher); Lancaster outfielder Josh Reddick, (baserunner); Lowell shortstop Ryan Dent (basestealer) and Lancaster outfielder Che-Hsuan Lin (defender).

Here and there

-- The 23 hits were the most by the Sox since they bashed 27 on May 28, 2005 at New York.

-- The 18 runs were the most since the Sox tallied 25 against Florida on June 27, 2003.

-- The seven runs in the seventh inning were the most Boston has scored in an inning this season.

-- Josh Beckett went only five-plus innings, his shortest outing since he lasted only 4 2/3 innings on April 6 at Toronto in his first outing of the year.

-- Dustin Pedroia’s 17-game hitting streak is the longest by a Sox second baseman since Todd Walker had a 19-gamer from May 10-June 5, 2003.

-- Boston optioned Jeff Bailey to Pawtucket after the game. The Sox will call up Clay Buchholz for a start Friday night at home against Baltimore.

-- The Sox have Thursday off.