BOSTON -- The realities of being a manager?

Terry Francona was in the interview room last night, shortly after the game, the celebration still going on outside, when he was asked about the Rays.

``Wow,'' he said. ``You know what, we just won about 10 minutes ago. I think there's plenty of time for me to sit with you guys over the next couple of days. If I give it to you all now, we've got nothing to talk about Wednesday and Thursday.''

Touche.

He did talk about Jed Lowrie, though, after being asked what it means for a kid like Lowrie to deliver in a situation such as last night's.

``I was looking at him and Lester when they were in the interview room,'' he said. ``I was looking and thinking, boy, they're young. Not in a bad way. We've brought some kids up and they've done such a phenomenal job of competing. I think our organization should be proud.

``I'm the one who gets to stand here on nights like this and talk, but I hope we do this as an organization, because it's an exciting time for the Red Sox.''

-BILL REYNOLDS