OAKLAND — The Red Sox had an unusual lineup for last night’s game because of the team’s awful travel schedule and the fact that Boston will play three interleague games in Arizona, beginning on Friday.

The Sox’ game at home against the Yankees on Sunday night didn’t end until after midnight, so by the time the Red Sox flew cross country and entered their hotel rooms it was 5:45 a.m. here.

Shortstop Julio Lugo was given the night off, at least from the starting lineup, replaced by Alex Cora. Hot-hitting Dustin Pedroia was in the leadoff spot, followed by Cora. J.D. Drew, who missed the last two games because of a strained right hamstring, was back in the lineup, but batted sixth instead of fifth because manager Terry Francona had to mix-and-match his order to give it some semblance of left-right balance.

Third baseman Mike Lowell, who was hit with a pitch on the left hand on Friday night and then rolled over on that hand trying to make a defensive play Sunday night, was on the bench, so Kevin Youkilis moved from first to third, with Eric Hinske playing first base.

And, given the long night and knuckleballer Tim Wakefield’s start tomorrow night, Francona had Doug Mirabelli catching. That way, he said, he can alternate Mirabelli and Jason Varitek behind the plate over the four-game series in Oakland.

Another lineup change came at game time when Coco Crisp, who had an upset stomach, was replaced by Wily Mo Pena.

While interleague play for an American League team playing in a National League city makes it difficult for the A.L. club because there is no designated hitter, forcing David Ortiz, in the Sox’ case, to play the field, it was the 8 o’clock ESPN start on Sunday night, followed by a cross-country flight, that just isn’t right, said Francona.

“With the schedule the way it is, and with interleague play, we’re not going to be able to field our nine guys much of this trip,” said Francona. “That’s just fact. You can’t get around it. It’s disappointing. I think that at some point, they (the schedule-makers) will look into this (late start, cross-country flight) and change it. That thought came to me about 4:30.”

Familiar left-handers

The Red Sox are going to see a couple of familiar left-handers in this series.

Lenny DiNardo will start tonight’s game, against Daisuke Matsuzaka. DiNardo is 1-2 with a 1.80 earned-run average in 12 games, including one start.

At the other end of the Athletics’ pitching staff is Alan Embree, who played important roles out of the Boston bullpen not too long ago.

Embree has become the Oakland closer with right-handers Huston Street and Justin Duchscherer on the disabled list. Embree is 4-for-4 in save opportunities. He has a 3.00 ERA.

Mills in the draft

Thursday, the first day of the baseball draft, is likely to be an exciting one for Red Sox bench coach Brad Mills and his family.

Mills’ son, Beau, is expected to be a first-round pick, projected to go anywhere from the fourth to the 26th pick, according to scouting bureaus.

Beau Mills, a third baseman, hit .458 with 38 home runs, helping Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, Idaho, to the NAIA championship. Beau, a Tom Brady look-alike, spent almost two years starring at Fresno State before academic issues knocked him off the team and ultimately to Lewis-Clark, after a suggestion from former Sox pitcher Keith Foulke, who had pitched for the school.

The Sox had made a courtesy pick of Beau in the 44th round of the 2004 draft when he was coming out of high school. He elected to go to Fresno State instead.

Lester, Timlin shine

The Red Sox received encouraging reports on two pitchers in Pawtucket who are bidding to rejoin Boston very soon.

Left-hander Jon Lester continued his comeback by authoring a sterling complete-game seven-inning performance in Pawtucket’s victory over Norfolk in the first game of a doubleheader yesterday. Minor-league doubleheaders are seven innings.

Lester threw a four-hitter, needing only 87 pitches to cruise through Norfolk.

In the second game, veteran reliever Mike Timlin started and worked two shutout innings, needing only 21 pitches to get through the rehab outing.

There is no timetable to activate either pitcher, said Francona.

“(Lester) says he feels good. He did real well,” said Francona after exchanging text messages with Lester, who is working his way back after battling non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Francona was asked what more Lester has to show before he returns to the big leagues.

“The most pitches he’s thrown is (87). I haven’t talked to (general manager) Theo (Epstein) about it. We got cut off four times today (on the cell phone). I don’t get very good reception here.”

As for Timlin, Francona said the team would like to see him throw one more inning for the PawSox before being activated. He is aware that Timlin would rather be with the Red Sox sooner than later.

“I’m sure there’s some frustration on his part,” said Francona.

skrasner@projo.com