Crisp

BOSTON — Last October, Coco Crisp’s future with the Red Sox seemed to be in flux.

He was replaced by rookie Jacoby Ellsbury in the postseason and it appeared Crisp’s days in Boston were numbered. He made it clear he wanted to be an everyday player and even asked management to trade him. The club tried moving him but a deal never came to fruition.

Now, as the regular season is quickly coming to an end, it’s a good thing Crisp is still in a Red Sox uniform.

He has been an integral part of Boston’s starting lineup for the last few weeks, both at the plate and in the field. His offense, however, has been huge for the Red Sox.

Crisp went 3-for-3 last night to extend his hitting streak to 10 games. He’s hitting .568 during the stretch, which he is 21-for-37. He entered the game with a .481 average, including 13 runs scored and 10 RBI, in his last 15 games.

He’s been hot at the right time with fellow outfielder J.D. Drew out of the lineup with a herniated disk. Drew was activated prior to last night’s game, but Crisp was in center, with Mark Kotsay in right and Jason Bay in left.

“It’s been a good stretch for him,” said Red Sox manager Terry Francona. “His batting average tells us that, but he’s been a big help to us. He’s played 12 games in a row for us and early [this season] that wasn’t the case. He’s gotten hot and that happens.”

Even though the speedy Crisp has been swinging a hot bat, the manager decided to keep in at the bottom of the lineup because of his recent success. Francona also said not to be surprised to see Crisp leading off tonight.

“Coco’s done a great job, and I think he needs to be in there,” Francona said.

Welcome aboard

With the PawSox season officially complete, the Red Sox added two more players to their major league roster. Catcher George Kottaras and outfielder/DH Chris Carter were promoted.

The presence of Kottaras gives the Sox four catchers — to go along with Jason Varitek, Kevin Cash and David Ross — and there’s no guarantee that Kottaras will see much game action, if any. Still, he gives the Sox the luxury of another lefty bat off the bench.

“And,” added Francona, “it gives him three weeks to spend with (bullpen coach and catching instructor) Gary Tuck.”

Carter, who had a strong season at Pawtucket, gives the Sox one more outfield option and a right-handed bat for pinch-hitting.

Just say the word

David Ortiz acknowledged Sunday night that he can still detect some clicking in his wrist, some three months after going on the DL with a torn sheath in the left wrist, but Francona wasn’t alarmed.

“I told David that if he needs a day off to tell me,” Francona said. “He’s had, I think, one day off since coming off the DL. He’s handled this — and we’ve handled it — pretty well.”

Ortiz entered last night’s game with a .270 average, including 18 homers and 72 RBI.

That’s enough out of you

The Sox have shut down Michael Bowden for the season. Bowden, who made his major league debut with a win on the last homestand, won’t pitch again this season. The Sox are still trying to work out an off-season program for him.

“It’s time to congratulate him and let him go about his winter of continuing to get stronger and developing,” Francona said. “He had a heck of a year, but I think everyone involved thought that was enough.”

The same goes for Clay Buchholz, who was sent to Double A Portland last month.

The Sox were pleased with the start turned in by Bartolo Colon Sunday night for the PawSox. He remains on target to start one of the two games of the day-night doubleheader against Toronto Saturday.

He’s the boss

Francona chose Kotsay over Ellsbury for the start in right field, citing the fact that Ellsbury had a tender quad in Texas. He also didn’t want Kotsay sitting for three straight games.

“I changed my mind a few times,” said Francona of the decision-making process.

Since his arrival, Kotsay has hit safely in seven of nine games, with nine RBI in last eight games.

If the shoes fit

If you ever wondered what type of relationship Dustin Pedroia has with his manager, the answer could be found next to the second baseman’s locker yesterday afternoon. A pair of pink and purple rhinestone cowboy boots were placed in Pedroia’s stall.

As a joke, Francona bought them for Pedroia during the club’s weekend trip to Texas, so he wore them to Fenway yesterday.

The boots certainly give new meaning to the old Red Sox saying: "Cowboy Up."

jmcdonal@projo.com