BOSTON — Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett wasn’t the only player taken out of yesterday’s game against the Baltimore Orioles.

While the right-hander was forced out of the game after four solid innings of work due to a piece of torn skin on the tip of his middle finger, outfielder Manny Ramirez was given the hook after eight innings due to tightness in his hamstring. Wily Mo Pena replaced him in the top of the ninth, and singled during the six-run bottom half of the inning.

Boston manager Terry Francona said after the game Ramirez, who went 0-for-3 yesterday, will be ready to play tonight against the Detroit Tigers.

“That was me probably being a little overprotective,” said Francona. “He got a little tight, but I don’t think it’s anything to worry about. We weren’t mailing it in, but it is a long year. I told him to just be ready for [today].”

Like Beckett’s skin problems, Ramirez has battled hamstring 5problems in the past.

“It’s just me overreacting a little bit,” Francona said again. “I would rather be safe than sorry.”

Playing the percentages

Mike Lowell, usually one of the pleasant personalities in the Sox clubhouse, was a bit grumpy yesterday. The reason? He did not play.

It was part of Francona’s practice to keep everyone fresh. Not only was Lowell off, but Dustin Pedroia got the day off.

“We’ve got every lefty we have in there today,” Francona said in his pregame meeting. The statistics, he noted, show that Baltimore starter Jeremy Guthrie has more trouble with lefties than righties. Lefties were hitting over .400 against him entering yesterday’s game.

Lowell does not like time off. And right now he is on a great run. Francona was asked if Lowell rolls his eyes when he is told he will not play.

“That would be an understatement,” he responded. “But that’s pretty close.”

Lowell acknowledged that he understood Francona’s reasoning. But that did not mean he had to be happy about it.

“I don’t mind it once in a while,” said the third baseman said. “I just know that we have interleague games coming up in National League parks where I’ll have some time off. I know we have to do that to get David (Ortiz) in the lineups.”

For those games, Kevin Youkilis will shift to third.

“I treat it as a day off,” Lowell said. “I’m not taking any hitting on the field. In the fifth inning or so I’ll go to the cage and starting getting some swings in. If they need me, I’ll be ready,”

Francona understands why Lowell wants to play.

Still, the big picture is more important.

“I think it pays dividends not getting greedy,” Francona said. “It’s not always the easiest thing to do. Here you’ve got a guy who doesn’t want to sit. He’s swinging the bat really well. But I think you have to use good judgment.”

Knowing his role

Francona has no problem pinch-hitting for Pedroia late in the game. The skipper has done it often this season and even though it must bother the rookie second baseman, Francona said Pedroia understands.

“He’s actually been swinging the bat pretty well,” said Francona. “We have a guy (Cora) right now who is hitting .430. In certain situations, like yesterday, (Baltimore reliever Todd) Williams is much tougher on right-handers so it made sense.

“Pedroia has done a good job, especially lately,” added the manager. “What he is now, is a part of our team. He’s not trying to prove anything to me or anybody else. He’s part of our team and he understands it.”

Francona was quick to mention the total package the Sox have at second base.

“You put their numbers together we’re probably near the top of the league,” he said. “So, we’re going to use both of them. The good side, Pedroia understands that. I don’t think he likes getting pinch-hit for; I don’t anybody that does. The competitive part in you says ‘I can succeed.’ And, I’m glad he feels that way.”

Lester works out

Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester threw a 40-pitch bullpen session yesterday morning at Fenway, and according to Francona, it went well. The left-hander mostly worked on his off-speed stuff. He’s scheduled to throw again on Wednesday. Lester’s left forearm tightened up on him during his second rehab start for the PawSox last week.

Getting the word out

Pink was the color of the day yesterday at Fenway Park.

It was all part of a Major League Baseball program to raise awareness of breast cancer on Mother’s Day. Players were given shipments of pink bats that included a breast cancer logos on the barrel. Some players were wearing pink wristbands. Also, workers in souvenir stands sold tiny pink bats.

Seven of the nine Red Sox starters used pink bats. The exceptions were Ortiz and Ramirez.

pkenyon@projo.com