The Red Sox’ J.D. Drew strokes a hit in the fourth that drove in Manny Ramirez. Boston scored four runs in the inning.

The Providence Journal / Bob Breidenbach

BOSTON — It’s only natural that the talk around Fenway Park yesterday was about the Red Sox’ and Yankees’ first regular-season series of 2008.

And, it’s only natural that the Red Sox pooh-poohed this weekend’s meeting with their archrivals because Boston still had a game remaining against the Detroit Tigers last night. Red Sox manager Terry Francona was even asked about the Yankees before last night’s 12-6 victory over the Tigers, and he gently dismissed the question.

Boston later dismissed Detroit.

The Sox’ J.D. Drew, Sean Casey, Manny Ramirez and Kevin Youkilis all came through with timely hits to help Boston to victory. In fact, the Red Sox banged out 13 hits, and only David Ortiz went hitless. The Red Sox slugger is now 1-for-his-last-22 at-bats.

Early yesterday afternoon, Ortiz came hobbling down the tunnel leading to the Red Sox’ dugout with a huge ice pack on his surgically repaired right knee. He said he was fine, but still struggled during his at-bats. Fortunately, Youkilis and Casey proved crucial, both in the field and at the plate.

With Mike Lowell being placed on the 15-day DL with a sprained thumb, Youkilis will be playing third and Casey at first.

“You send him over to third base and he looks like a major-league third baseman,” said Red Sox manager Terry Francona. “And to do it without the repetition makes him even more special. We’re very fortunate. And then Casey comes in and plays first and swings the bat like he’s been out there every day.”

Youkilis went 1-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBI while Casey was 2-for-5 with three RBI.

It was certainly an interesting night for Boston all around.

Trailing by 2-0 heading into the bottom of the fourth inning, the Red Sox scored four runs in the inning to gain the lead. Detroit pushed across a run in the top of the seventh inning, but Ramirez provided a two-run double to deep center field in the bottom of the seventh for a 6-3 advantage. The inning continued with Casey providing a two-out, two-run single for an 8-3 lead.

It seemed as though the Sox had this one under control against the struggling Tigers, but Francona inserted reliever Julian Tavarez to begin the eighth inning and Detroit was able to claw its way back in with three runs. The Tigers’ deficit was cut to two, 8-6, when Tavarez was given the hook with two outs and replaced by closer Jonathan Papelbon, who recorded the final out of the inning.

Boston pushed across four runs in the bottom of the eighth.

Detroit’s moundsmen threw a total of 212 pitches overall.

Now that the Tigers have left town, the focus can be directed at the Yankees.

Even during spring training this year a jovial verbal fight between the two organizations got off to an early start with Hank Steinbrenner, son of Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, calling Red Sox Nation a farce, to which Boston ownership responded with John Henry asking the younger Steinbrenner to become a member.

Then Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon called Steinbrenner a pencil-pusher who never stepped onto a baseball field. Hank then called Papelbon “a mouse” and a “20-something who doesn’t know his way in the world.” Papelbon spoke of the matter and the upcoming series yesterday.

“I didn’t know there was a hatchet to be buried, to be honest with you,” said Papelbon when asked about the situation with Steinbrenner. “I said what I needed to say. I would say that about anybody or anything, not just because it was Hank Steinbrenner.

“I’m not going to sit here and get in a childish yelling match with Hank Steinbrenner or Hal or whoever it was. I said that not really directing it towards him. And I still stick by those things, I just don’t want to get into a back-and-forth thing. I don’t even know them.”

On the field, the Yankees have some concerns already this season with injuries. Derek Jeter is bothered by a leg injury and Jorge Posada is not 100 percent, either. New York’s roster is a tormenting mix of older veterans and inexperienced prospects, whereas the Red Sox have a solid mix of both.

The rivalry is still one of the best in professional sports. It’s always evolving. The Yankees dominated the 1990s and the Red Sox already have a strong hold on the 21st century. Another chapter begins tonight.

jmcdonal@projo.com