BOSTON — J.D. Drew cannot recall the last time he hit in the lead-off spot. The Red Sox right fielder served that role last night and the change didn’t bother him. He says it doesn’t really doesn’t matter where he hits in the lineup.

Red Sox manager Terry Francona, looking for some type of offensive spark, has used four players — Julio Lugo, Dustin Pedroia, Coco Crisp and Drew — in the last four games in the top spot.

Francona, who admitted he’s been thinking about Drew in that top spot for a few days, told him about the switch after Wednesday’s game. Plus, Drew entered the game with a .429 average (3-for-7) off last night’s starter for Colorado, Jeff Francis.

“I told [Francona] I was fine with it,” Drew said. “It’s just one of those situations where he’s mixing things up a little bit and he just wanted to check with me and make sure I didn’t have any opposition to it.”

Drew said just because he’s hitting at the top of the order his approach won’t change.

“I don’t think it’ll be a whole lot different,” he said. “I’ve always been a guy who wants to see decent pitches and not be real aggressive. I wait for a pitch in my zone, so I’ll try to continue with that.”

It’s not going to be an everyday thing, but don’t be surprised if it happens again.

“At this point, especially with interleague play, to have one lineup for the next two months — I don’t know if it’s feasible,” said Francona. “Obviously we would like to have some consistency, but this is something you may see from time to time. … I told J.D. to have some fun with it. He’ll be fine.”

With one out and the bases loaded in the bottom of the second inning last night, Drew smoked a line drive up the middle that would have easily scored two runs, but Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki made a diving stab for the second out.

Drew finished the game 0-for-5.

A sparkplug returns

For the first time since Game Two of the 2004 World Series, Dave Roberts will return to Fenway Park tonight.

Roberts, who spent the last two seasons with San Diego, returns to town with the San Francisco Giants.

Francona expects that Roberts will be greeted warmly.

“I would be shocked if, when Dave comes up [to the plate for the first time], the place doesn’t explode,” Francona said. “Then, hopefully, he pops up and then sits down.”

Roberts will always enjoy a special place in Red Sox history for his steal of second base in Game Four of the LCS against the Yankees, keying the Sox’ comeback.

Francona labeled his steal “the single most exciting play I’ve ever been associated with. Thank God he was safe. Every time I see that on videotape, it looks like he’s going to be out.”

Sox sign 10 draftees

The Sox announced the signing of 10 draft picks from last week. Included in that bunch was catcher Dan Miliano of Cumberland and Northeastern University.

Miliano will report to Lowell of the New York-Penn League to begin his pro career.

The highest pick signed was right-handed pitcher Adam Mills, an eighth-round pick from UNC-Charlotte.

Special for Dads

Sunday, the Red Sox will invite fathers and their children attending the Father’s Day Game with San Francisco to celebrate with a post-game “Catch in the Park.” The club will supply soft baseballs.

PawSox’ wall of honor

McCoy Stadium and the PawSox are known for a lot of things, but one thing specifically is the players’ murals around the ballpark. It’s an honor to have your picture hanging on the walls here, joining the likes of Roger Clemens, Fred Lynn, Tim Naehring, Eric Wedge and many more. There are a total of 73 and the club just added four more: Jonathan Papelbon, Kevin Youkilis, Bronson Arroyo and Freddy Sanchez.

“It’s definitely cool,” said Papelbon. “It’s cool that the PawSox do that because I don’t think many other Triple-A teams do.”

Around the bases

David Ortiz was hit by a pitch (first inning) for the first time since Opening Day. Since the start of 2003, Ortiz has been hit just 12 times. ... Over the last 31 games, catcher Jason Varitek is hitting .308 with five homers and 22 RBI and 20 runs scored, lifting his average 50 points — from .225 to .275. ... The loss was the first this season on a Thursday for the Sox. Previously, they were 8-0. ...The Sox are now 4-14 when scoring fewer than three runs.

smcadam@projo.com