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Drew attempts to continue torrid June

Jun 28, 2008 - 12:59 PM Boston (50-32) at Houston (37-43) 7:05 pm EDT

HOUSTON (Ticker) -- When David Ortiz played his last game for the Boston Red Sox on May 31, many expected at least a slight dropoff from the team. Instead, J.D. Drew has filled in admirably.

Drew attempts to continue his hitting tear in June when the Red Sox continue their three-game interleague set against the Houston Astros on Saturday.

Boston, which was 34-24 at the end of May, saw Ortiz go down with a torn tendon sheath in left wrist. He is expected to be sidelined for at least a few more weeks.

With the injury to their popular designated hitter, who has totaled at least 35 homers and 117 RBI in each of the four seasons, the Red Sox could have very well experienced a drop in the standings if it were not for Drew, who is batting .358 with 11 homers and 26 RBI in June.

Drew belted a three-run homer in Friday's series-opening 6-1 win, snapping a 0-for-14 dry spell.

With the way Jon Lester (6-3, 3.13 ERA) has pitched lately, the Red Sox may not need all that much offense. The lefthander, who has allowed three or fewer earned runs in 11 straight starts, yielded just two runs over 7 1/3 innings in Sunday's 5-3, 13-inning win over St. Louis.

Houston will turn to Brandon Backe (5-8, 4.82), who broke a three-game losing streak with a win in his last start. In Sunday's 3-2 victory over Tampa Bay, the righthander permitted two runs and six hits over 6 2/3 innings.