The Red Sox’ Kevin Youkilis grimaces as he’s hit by a pitch by Yankees closer Mariano Rivera, one of seven times a player was hit by a pitch yesterday.

MCT / Paul J. Bereswill

NEW YORK — The game wasn’t over for more than six minutes yesterday afternoon in the Bronx when Red Sox slugger Manny Ramirez was seen leaving Yankee Stadium.

He went 0-for-1 with a strikeout, but he was hit by a pitch three times in the Sox’ 2-1 loss to the Yankees. Don’t think, though, that he or any of the four other hit batsman were concerned there was an issue. In fact, the seven combined hit batters matched a modern major-league record for one game. It was the fifth time in history that that has occurred. The last time was June 7, 2001 in a game between Oakland and Anaheim.

Both managers — Terry Francona of the Red Sox and Joe Girardi of the Yankees — didn’t think there was an issue yesterday.

Red Sox starter Justin Masterson hit the Yankees’ Alex Rodriguez, Robinson Cano and Jose Molina. Yankee starter Mike Mussina hit Ramirez twice and New York closer Mariano Rivera drilled Ramirez and Kevin Youkilis.

“I think it was a lot of off-speed pitches and I don’t think there was an issue on either side,” said Francona. “We didn’t question their intent, let alone our own. We were just trying to get them out and I don’t doubt they were, too. I’m willing to bet if you ask Mariano, he wasn’t real happy about putting more men on base. Not that you ever want to see one of your guys get hurt, but I wish Mariano had hit one more.”

Girardi wasn’t worried, either.

“They got Robby (Cano) with a slider. Masterson’s got some sweep to his slider, so that’s going to happen sometimes. I don’t think (they were trying to hit anyone),” he said.

Mussina was kind of dumbfounded by the situation, too.

“I’ve never seen that many guys hit in a ball game and nobody got warned,” he said. “I had a changeup get away on Manny and later, a pitch that was up and in. It’s just the way the game was going. You could tell that nobody had any intention (of hitting anyone) at all. It just happened that way.”

Injury updates

Red Sox pitcher Bartolo Colon (back strain) is playing catch at 120 feet while he continues his rehab and throwing program. According to Francona, the right-hander isn’t too far away from tossing from a mound. Francona also said that could happen early this week when the club returns to Fenway Park tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Red Sox slugger David Ortiz (wrist) will be evaluated when the club returns to Boston.

“He’ll try to step up the volume,” said Francona.

If things continue to progress, there’s a chance Ortiz will make a minor-league rehab stint after the All-Star break.

“I think he’s actually pretty upbeat for the most part about it,” said Francona. “You deal with it the best we can and that’s why we’re trying to go on a consistent time frame and not hurry something along that shouldn’t be hurried. So when he does come back, even though he may feel it, it won’t get in the way of him being successful.”

The club’s medical staff has told Ortiz and Francona that there will be some discomfort from time to time, but that doesn’t mean it will keep him off the field.

Basically, the Red Sox won’t rush the process.

“After this All-Star break, we’re going to have to gear him up and get him some at-bats live,” said Francona. “How we do that will be determined by what we feel is in his best interest.”

Back to the Wall

Ramirez has been relegated to the DH role with Ortiz (wrist) on the DL. Ramirez has been battling a hamstring issue for over a month, so his playing time in left field has been limited.

Once the Red Sox return to Fenway Park tomorrow, Ramirez probably will be back in the field.

“I told Manny I would like to, especially at home,” said Francona. “It’s nice to get him out there because it opens up some options for us. Not that he has to play every day, but it will give us a chance to get [Sean] Casey some at-bats. But when [Ramirez] says he’s not comfortable going out there, it’s hard telling someone ‘You’re going out there anyway.’ It just doesn’t make sense.”

Francona believes the lingering injury is getting better and that it hasn’t affected the slugger’s at-bats.

Thanks, but no thanks

Girardi has offered his office in the Yankees clubhouse to Francona, who will be managing the A.L. All-Stars here next week. Girardi said the only thing he’ll do is lock up the scouting reports. The Sox skipper said he appreciates the gesture, but it won’t be necessary.

“I would make the trade and go sit in the coaches’ room if he gives me the scouting stuff,” said Francona with a laugh. “I just can’t. We had a conversation about it and it was really relaxed and comfortable. I was just trying to ask him to please don’t (offer) me that. I just really don’t want him to.”

Francona didn’t use then-Tigers manager Alan Trammell’s office at Comerica Park in Detroit during the 2005 All-Star Game, either.

“It doesn’t make sense to me,” said Francona. “You don’t need to move. I’m not exaggerating when I say I’m going to have a wrinkled pair of jeans, a pair of shoes that are worth about $20 bucks and my shirt always goes on the floor.”

Francona did say if the All-Star Game was being played at Fenway Park he would offer his office to the manager.

“Sure,” he said. “Of course. Joe did it because it’s out of respect. A lot of people in the game are very respectful of the game, especially people who have been in it a long time. I know I’m joking, but you try to take what you’re doing very seriously and not take yourself too seriously. It will be an honor to be a part of this game when it comes. Where I dress doesn’t mean a whole lot.”

Damon to the DL?

The Yankees will wait until this morning to make it official, but all signs point to Johnny Damon being placed on the disabled list today for the first time in his career.

Damon suffered a bruise and sprain of his left AC joint Friday when he crashed into the wall attempting to hold onto a triple by Youkilis. He left the game immediately and didn’t play yesterday.

Damon got “a lot of treatment” yesterday according to Girardi, but he was very sore and experiencing limited mobility with the shoulder. On Friday, Damon said the pain he was feeling was significantly worse than when he experienced shoulder injuries while playing for the Red Sox.

“We’re going to see how he is in the morning,” said Girardi, “then we’re going to make a decision on whether we put him on the DL or not. … You have to be realistic. If it’s pretty much as sore as it was (Friday), there’s a good chance he’s going on the DL.”

smcadam@projo.com