BOSTON — A year ago at this time, right-hander Manny Delcarmen was an untouchable in the Red Sox’ system, a power arm in Boston’s bullpen.

Later in the summer, though, Delcarmen began to falter and this year, he didn’t even make the big-league team out of spring training. And there were times when he floundered in Pawtucket.

But since being promoted on June 17 because Brendan Donnelly had to be placed on the disabled list, Delcarmen has been impressing the Sox and their opponents with his fastball zip, his overall repertoire, his confidence and, best of all, his results.

Quite simply, Delcarmen has become the effective bridge the Red Sox were seeking for their bullpen between the starters and the late-inning duo of Hideki Okajima and Jonathan Papelbon.

Last night, Delcarmen continued his string of outstanding performances by working two scoreless innings, punching out a career-high four. His final pitch was a 96-mph fastball that sizzled past Aaron Hill before the Toronto second baseman could even contemplate swinging at it.

Delcarmen, who entered in the seventh, has been scored upon in only one of his 11 appearances since June 17. His overall ERA is 1.32.

“He has been aggressive on both sides of the plate,” catcher Jason Varitek said. “He’s using all his pitches. His confidence is growing. He’s got good stuff.”

Change is good

Mike Lowell opened the sixth with a single to center, moments after Toronto had rocked Daisuke Matsuzaka for three runs and a tie game in the top of the inning.

Boston manager Terry Francona then called for a hit-and-run on Dustin McGowan’s first pitch to Varitek.

The play didn’t work. Varitek fouled the pitch into the stands.

Francona took off the hit and run. Good move. Varitek rocketed the next pitch for a titanic homer to the center-field bleachers in the triangle, just over the Sox’ bullpen.

“It was good timing,” said Varitek of his homer, which restored Boston’s lead, at 6-4, and sparked a five-run surge that put the game away.

Checkup scheduled

Donnelly, who had to shut down his rehab assignment in Lowell on Friday night because of a recurrence of the tightness he has been experiencing in his right forearm, will fly to Anaheim for a second opinion.

Donnelly is expected to see noted orthopedist Lewis Yocum, the Angels’ team orthopedist, on Tuesday.

Donnelly spent four years with the Angels before signing with the Sox last winter, so Yocum is very familiar with the right-hander.

The plan for Donnelly, who had a very encouraging side session in Detroit last Sunday, was to start for the Spinners and throw an inning. The game was delayed at the start because of rain.

Donnelly, who hadn’t even warmed up, eventually played long toss and snapped off a few splitters and curveballs, though, he knew he’d be unable to pitch.

“It (the discomfort) is in the same area. I’m just not there. Everything was progressing fine. I had a setback," said Donnelly, getting emotional in the Sox’ clubhouse before batting practice.

Donnelly hasn’t pitched since June 10. He has been on the disabled list since June 17. He had good words to say about Boston’s training staff but thought it would be wise for him and the Red Sox to solicit Yocum’s opinion.

“So the next step is to see someone who knows me inside and out,” said Donnelly, who turned 36 on July 4. “It just hasn’t gotten back to normal. We’ll see what he says Tuesday.”

Drew out, Hinske in

Right fielder J.D. Drew was held out of starting lineup last night because of a tight right hamstring.

Drew felt a strain on the hamstring while stretching a hit into left field into a double in the third inning of Friday night’s game.

He missed a few games in early June because of the same problem.

Francona said after last night’s game that Drew was stiff yesterday afternoon and wasn’t available to play, but got better as the night went on.

“I don’t think you’re going to see him play (today), but I don’t think that he is going to be too far off (from returning to the lineup),” said Francona.

Drew was replaced by Eric Hinske in Friday night’s game. Hinske got the start last night over Wily Mo Pena because the Blue Jays started a right-handed pitcher — Dustin McGowan.

Clearly, manager Terry Francona made a wise decision. Hinske homered in the fourth.

Around the bases

Julio Lugo extended his modest hitting streak to four games on a third-inning single. It’s his longest streak since a seven-gamer May 8-14. Prior to this stretch, Lugo hadn’t hit in as many as two games in a row since June 10 (1-for-5) and June 12 (1-for-3). In the fourth, Lugo notched the 1,000th hit of his career, beating out a single to deep short. After his milestone hit, Lugo racked up his 24th stolen base. ... Crisp smacked his fourth triple, two shy of his career-high. The assist in the second was his fourth of the year. … The Sox have scored in the first inning in each of the first three games of the series. … First baseman Kevin Youkilis aggravated his strained left quadriceps when he rushed in and caught Vernon Wells’ popup near the Sox’ dugout in the fifth.

skrasner@projo.com