BOSTON — Julio Lugo now has a seven-game hitting streak, during which he’s hitting .538 (14-for-26), but according to the Red Sox shortstop, he’s not hitting better — he’s just enjoying better luck.

“I don’t feel I’m hitting the ball any harder,” Lugo said last night after he enjoyed a three-hit night in the Red Sox’ 9-3 thumping by the Kansas City Royals. “It’s just going to the right places.”

Lugo was on base four times, reaching on an error in the third, doubling in the fifth, singling in the seventh and doubling again in the eighth. He scored two of the Sox’ three runs.

In his recent hot streak, Lugo has smacked three doubles and a homer with two RBI and five runs scored. Before that he had been 3-for-46 (.065) in his previous 18 contests.

Lugo, who was hitting a season-low .189 on July 2, has subsequently lifted his average to its current .217 level. Lugo’s average hasn’t been that high since June 6, when he was hitting .221.

“It makes me feel good,” said Lugo. “It gives you more energy and focus (when some balls fall in).”

“That’s good,” said manager Terry Francona of Lugo’s turnaround. “Tonight, it didn’t show (because) we didn’t win. But if he’s on base and he’s swinging the bat with some authority like he and the ball is coming off lines drive, then we can use his speed and we’re a better team.”

Nothing’s guaranteed

The impressive complete-game shutout Red Sox rookie starter Kason Gabbard threw to beat the Royals on Monday night at Fenway Park was still the talk around the clubhouse yesterday afternoon.

It was the first time that Gabbard, 25, has recorded a complete game in his pro career. The lefty provided the Red Sox with some much-needed help in the rotation since Curt Schilling was placed on the DL with tendinitis in his right shoulder on June 22.

Monday night was another example of how well Gabbard handles himself.

Now the question is, when Schilling returns to the Boston active list, does that mean Julian Tavarez gets shifted back to the bullpen and the rookie remains in the rotation?

Schilling is scheduled to make two rehab starts in the minors, the first coming Saturday for the Pawtucket Red Sox.

Francona didn’t, and doesn’t, like to look too far ahead.

“I think in this market a game like [Monday] night has a way enshrining somebody in Cooperstown,” said Francona. “Things happen and you try to stay ahead of things and have plans A, B and C. … I think ‘Gabby’ said it pretty well. He’ll pitch when he’s supposed to, go where he’s supposed to and do the best he can. That’s the best way to look at it. We do have confidence in his ability to pitch.”

Gabbard, who was recalled from Pawtucket on June 26 for the second time this season, is 3-0 in five starts this season with a 3.38 ERA. From the fifth spot in the rotation, Tavarez is 5-7 (17 starts) with a 5.15 ERA and has filled in nicely in that role.

Tavarez may not be the only one affected by Gabbard’s success. Jon Lester, who remains in Pawtucket and has struggled a bit, could find himself as the odd man out until September unless the Red Sox decide to trade one of their young arms in the organization by the end of this month.

Buchholz labors but impresses

Francona said he read the game report on pitching prospect Clay Buchholz’s Triple-A debut for Pawtucket on Monday night. The manager said he received mixed reports on the three-inning, 50-pitch outing, saying the game report was better than the line score. The 22-year-old righty allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits, including a monster home run.

“A couple of balls were not hit real well and one was hit real well,” said Francona. “He had a lot of swings and misses, which is always good. I think he had 12 swings and misses, which is very good. Again, three innings is a real small sample size, but I think there’s a lot of hope and optimism for this kid. He’s going to be a good pitcher and it’s exciting to watch.”

Buchholz was scheduled to start again for the PawSox on Saturday and increase his workload to five innings or 75 pitches, but because Schilling will make a rehab start it now appears Buchholz will be pushed back to Sunday.

More rehab set for Donnelly

Prior to last night’s game Francona said he had no news on reliever Brendan Donnelly, who took a trip to California to have his strained right forearm examined by orthopedist Lewis Yocum. Donnelly has been on the DL for the last month. The veteran right-hander is 2-1 with a 3.05 ERA in 27 appearances this season.

During the top of the sixth inning last night, however, the Red Sox announced that Yocum agreed with the original diagnosis of a strained forearm and told the pitcher that he should return to Boston to continue his strength and conditioning program.

“We were really pleased,” said Francona. “Now we’ll get him back here and keep him on the program. When will he start throwing? We don’t know yet. He’s going to have to strengthen it again, but it’s good news. When (Yocum) concurred with (team doctor Tom Gill), it was a relief for us.”

smcadam@projo.com