BOSTON — News of David Ortiz testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs back in 2003 quickly made its way around Fenway Park on Thursday afternoon.

The New York Times broke the story on its Web site about an hour before the first pitch just as fans began to filter into the park. But each time Ortiz stepped into the batter's box, he received his usual ovation.

Of 10 fans approached in the concourse after Ortiz hit his three-run homer, 9 were fully aware of the situation. The common theme was: "We're behind him."

One, however, was concerned.

"I heard about it on the way to the game. I'm bummed out,"said Greg Lamarre Anderson of Westwood. "I want us to win, but I want our players to do things right. He seems like such a good guy, and to hear something like this bums me out. I want to get verification, but I don't like it."

After Ortiz crushed the three-run blast in the bottom of the seventh inning to give the Sox the lead, he received a standing ovation. He also was summoned for a curtain call after he returned to the dugout.

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The Red Sox made an attempt to put the Daisuke Matsuzaka controversy to bed Thursday. They took the unusual step of issuing a news release in which Matsuzaka was quoted as saying, "My goal is to put myself into a position where I can contribute to this team."

"I spoke to [manager Terry Francona] on the phone (Wednesday) and I'm very glad that we had a productive conversation," Matsuzaka was quoted as saying.

"As for reports from the past several days, I want to correct some misunderstandings. I did not go public with any complaints and I regret that some of my private conversations were made public without my knowledge or consent.

"Also, I never said in public or private conversation that ‘if I am forced to continue to train in this environment, I may no longer be able to pitch like I did in Japan.'

"I had no intention of criticizing the team and we are, in fact, working together to communicate, to exchange ideas and to try and understand one another's baseball culture as we move forward."

He went on: "The team and I have had many meetings and conversations, and after shaking hands with the general manager, manager and coaches on the 24th, I was able to resume my training in good state of mind. My goal is to put myself into a position where I can contribute to this team.

"I look forward to rejoining my teammates and playing in front of the fans at Fenway Park," the statement concluded.

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J.D. Drew suffered an unspecified leg injury on Thursday and will probably miss Friday's game in Baltimore.

After the Sox' right fielder doubled in the bottom of the eighth inning and later scored on a Jason Varitek RBI double, Drew was removed from the game and replaced with Rocco Baldelli for the top of the ninth inning.

Drew, who has been hampered with back problems in the past, apparently strained something in his leg and will not be available Friday.

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Tim Wakefield continues to make progress and do more throwing. However, the Sox are restricting Wakefield's work and want him to move slowly, according to Francona, so it will probably be some time before Wakefield returns. It is possible, although not likely, that the veteran will be sent on a rehab assignment to Pawtucket or another of the minor-league teams when he is ready to pitch.

Wakefield said the issue has become a nerve problem, sometimes sending pain down his legs.

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Their latest win made the Sox 10-18 against the A.L. West. With only three games left against Texas, the Sox will have their first losing season against the West since 2006, when they were 5-20 . . . Nomar Garciaparra had three hits in what could be his last game ever at Fenway. He received a round of applause when replaced by pinch-runner Eric Patterson after singling in the seventh.

pkenyon @projo.com

jmcdonal@projo.com