Rangers catcher Gerald Laird tags out the Red Sox’ Mike Lowell, who was trying to score on a Jed Lowrie single in the second inning last night at Arlington, Texas.

AP / Tony Gutierrez

ARLINGTON, Texas — The mantra for the Red Sox generally doesn’t change, even as the season heads down the stretch.

It’s all about playing one game at a time, worrying about themselves and how they’re playing and not scoreboard-watching or concerning themselves with the other teams. That, say the Sox, is what they can control, and that’s all they should be focusing on.

Don’t believe them when you hear them express those sentiments over the next few weeks.

Oh, there’s a lot of truth to what they say, but yesterday as they gathered in their clubhouse, glued to the TV screen where the first-place Tampa Bay Rays were trying to hold off the Toronto Blue Jays, the scoreboard-watching emotion bubbled over.

When the Jays’ Gregg Zaun stepped into the batter’s box against Troy Percival with the bases filled, two outs and Tampa Bay leading, 4-3, in the 13th, the Sox began chirping. Zaun, apparently, is not one of their favorite players. Or at least, he wasn’t.

“Zaunie Bench,” yelled one member of the Sox, derisively comparing Zaun, a journeyman catcher, to Hall of Famer Johnny Bench.

“Come on, Zaunie,” yelled another.

Zaun came through for the Jays — and the Sox. He crushed the first pitch he saw for a grand slam to right, giving Toronto a 7-4 victory that temporarily enabled Boston to pull within two games of the Rays in the American League East, pending the outcome of last night’s game against the Rangers.

As the ball left Zaun’s bat, the Sox stood as one, popping up off the couch or their chairs, some of them raising arms in hopeful triumph as the ball soared toward right. And when the ball cleared the fence, there was a loud cheer, almost as loud as if it had been the Red Sox who had captured a dramatic walkoff win.

“Zaunie Bench,” someone yelled.

“What a hitter. We love him now,” said another.

Youk is back

Kevin Youkilis, who had missed five of the previous six games for a variety of reasons, returned to the starting lineup last night at first base, batting fourth.

Youkilis missed two games against the White Sox last Saturday and Sunday because of the flu and then, after playing in one game against the Orioles, he was knocked out of the lineup for the final two games of that series because of lower-back tightness.

And while he might have been able to play in Friday night’s series open against the Rangers, Youkilis was permitted to stay back in Boston to take care of a personal matter, which gave him another day to recover from his back woes.

“I’m glad to be back. I’m ready to play,” Youkilis said.

He said doctors told him the back issue was related to the flu, which caused him to become dehydrated and basically bedridden for a few days. The normal wear and tear on his body at this time of year, plus the dehydration, were factors that kept him out of the two games in Boston against Baltimore.

Aardsma throws pain-free

Right-hander David Aardsma, who has been on the disabled list since Aug. 23 because of a groin strain, faced hitters yesterday afternoon for the first time since he appeared in a game at Baltimore on Aug. 20.

Aardsma threw 25 pitches in an early batting practice session. He faced J.D. Drew, Sean Casey and Jeff Bailey. While his rhythm wasn’t midseason-sharp, Aardsma, who has been on the DL twice this season because of groin problems, said he felt fine.

“No twinges, no tightness, no pain at all,” said Aardsma, who has a 4.16 earned-run average in 42 games as a reliever this season. “It’s a matter of getting used to being back on the mound.”

Manager Terry Francona said Aardsma would pitch for Lowell in the playoffs, either tomorrow in Lowell or Tuesday on the road. Francona said it would be easier logistically for Aardsma to pitch in Lowell, but added that if Aardsma needed an extra day of rest before pitching in a game, he’d go on the road with Lowell for an outing Tuesday night.

Around the bases

Bartolo Colon’s playoff start for Pawtucket was rained out yesterday, so he’s scheduled to pitch against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre today. That doesn’t alter the plans the Red Sox have for the veteran right-hander, who will probably be called upon, if healthy, to start one game against Toronto in a day-night doubleheader at Fenway Park on Saturday. … Drew took early batting practice against hitting coach Dave Magadan and then stepped in during Aardsma’s session. Drew is progressing, said Francona, but is not ready to play in a game yet. Drew hasn’t played since Aug. 17 because of a herniated disk. Drew is hoping to play at some point during the key series at home against Tampa Bay that begins tomorrow night. … Rangers designated hitter Milton Bradley was scratched from the starting lineup because of a sore left wrist. … Coco Crisp laced a single in the second, extending his hitting streak to eight games, tying his season high. … Jed Lowrie has at least one RBI in five of his last seven games and in 17 of his last 32 games, totaling 29 RBI over that stretch.

skrasner@projo.com