The Red Sox’ J.D. Drew, who has been on a tear, follows through on his three-run homer during the first inning of yesterday’s series finale.

AP / Tom Mihalek

PHILADELPHIA — The cacophony of boos was unrelenting.

Every time J.D. Drew’s name was announced during the three-game series, be it for the pregame introductions or for every plate appearance, the chorus of boos would rain down on him from every part of the Philadelphia Phillies’ Citizens Bank Park.

The roots of the ill feeling go back to 1997, when the Phillies made Drew the No. 2 pick in the draft and he refused to sign with them.

The taciturn Drew, though, just keeps rolling along, swinging a red-hot bat for the Boston Red Sox.

And while he didn’t exactly silence the fans with the long memories yesterday, Drew played a major role in the Red Sox’ 7-4 victory in the rubber game of the series between division leaders.

Drew went 4-for-5 with four RBI, including a three-run homer in the first inning off Kyle Kendrick that gave the Sox a quick burst and helped make a winner of inconsistent rookie right-hander Justin Masterson (4-1), with key assists from relievers Manny Delcarmen and Jonathan Papelbon (21st save).

The Sox right fielder also contributed a double and two singles to the attack as Boston, playing without David Ortiz (wrist, disabled list), Manny Ramirez (hamstring) and Kevin Youkilis (back) and with the pitcher in the batting order, pounded out 13 hits in finishing the road trip with a 4-2 record.

“They’re not going to forget,” said Drew of the fans, allowing a wry smile to form on his generally expressionless face.

“It’s one of those situations where you’re going to hear some things you don’t hear in other ballparks. That makes it fun. That’s what baseball is all about. I don’t try to do anything extra. I just have to do what I’ve been doing,” he said.

He said he wasn’t even sure whether the fans still know why they’re booing him.

“It’s been a long time,” said Drew, who was 5-for-12 with two homers and five RBI in the series. “I think some of them kind of [know why they boo] and some others just follow along. I’m sure some of them are saying, ‘Why are we booing this guy again?’ ”

The four hits tied a career high for Drew, a plateau he has reached eight times, the last on Aug. 20, 2005, while playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers at San Diego.

This was not just a one-game show of excellence, however.

It was more of what has stamped Drew as the leading candidate for player-of-the-month honors in June. He has been a veritable power-hitting machine, slugging at 1.085 for the month, higher than anyone in baseball.

In 17 games this month, Drew is batting a sizzling .441 with 9 homers, 21 RBI, 7 doubles, 2 triples and 14 walks. It is the most homers he has hit in a month since clouting 10 in May 2001 for St. Louis.

And you want to talk about timing? He moved into the No. 3 spot vacated by the injured Ortiz, and it’s as if Ortiz never left. Drew, who was 5-for-10 with two homers and three RBI batting lower in the order the first three days Ortiz was missing, has given the Red Sox the power presence they thought they might be lacking in that hole without their All-Star designated hitter.

“His timing is impeccable,” said Boston manager Terry Francona. “J.D. has been right in the middle of our order and he’s been in the middle of our rallies or creating rallies. He has stepped in and been tremendous for us.

“That’s exactly what you hope for, someone getting hot and carrying a team,” added Francona. “That’s what good hitters do. If a guy had to pick a time to get hot, he picked a great time.”

Just don’t ask Drew to compare this power surge he has been on to any other in his 10-year career, or ask him why he has thrived since being elevated into the third spot in the order on June 4.

“I don’t focus back on old stretches,” said Drew, who has boosted his average to .327. “It’s like I’ve been saying all along, I just want to continue to play the game right and keep it simple. I want to just keep on doing what I’ve been doing and let things fall into place, hit the ball where people aren’t standing.

“We just have a good group of guys offensively who know their roles and grind out at-bats,” said Drew. “I’ll just have to go back home and keep doing what I’ve been doing [tomorrow].”

Only at Fenway Park for the opener against the Cardinals tomorrow night, Drew can rest assured that he will not be booed. Maybe, after a mostly lackluster 2007 season when fans were considering him an overpaid $14-million-a-year player, he’ll be hearing a similar sounding cheer — “Drrreewwwww.”

skrasner@projo.com