Mirabelli back in action

CHICAGO -- The sprained left wrist was no longer an issue. However, an entirely different problem nearly postponed backup catcher Doug Mirabelli's activation by a day or two.
"The only real hangup we had, it's not his wrist, he got food poisoning the other day, so we sent him home [Saturday]," said Sox manager Terry Francona. "He got some fluids and got it out of his system, so he feels better."

And so it was that the Sox were able to activate Mirabelli shortly before Sunday night's game. His return came at an ideal time, as he was able to catch knuckleballer Tim Wakefield for the first time since May 15.

Mirabelli wound up belting a single in his first at-bat, but made a baserunning error moments later, as he got caught too far off second base following a single by Wakefield.

With Mirabelli re-joining the team, the Sox optioned Kelly Shoppach back to Triple-A Pawtucket. Shoppach went hitless in 11 at-bats but held his own defensively.

"Obviously, it was a really difficult time," said Shoppach. "It's a thing that I've never done before. It's a new experience. You have to have a first experience. Mine happened to be this one. The way it went down, I was a backup player when I never have been before. It's going to be a great learning experience in the future, maybe later this year or later on in my career. It was very tough. I'm still making adjustments to it. But I'll have my feet wet for a future time."

Pudge's pole: The last time the Red Sox played the Cincinnati Reds was the 1975 World Series, when Carlton Fisk forced Game 7 by striking a home run off the left-field foul pole in the bottom of the 12th inning. It's only fitting that when the Sox and Reds meet up again on Monday night, the Sox will hold a ceremony prior to the game in which the pole above the Green Monster will officially be named in Fisk's honor.

The ceremony will take place roughly 20 minutes before the first pitch. Fisk, who was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2000, will be on hand to take part.

Francona reshuffles lineup: The Sox had some different twists to the lineup Sunday night, with David Ortiz, Trot Nixon, Bill Mueller and Jason Varitek all starting the game on the bench.

Aside from wanting to get David Ortiz some rest, Millar came into the game with a strong track record against Cubs lefty Glendon Rusch, going 10-for-24 against him in his career.

Kevin Youkilis occupied Ortiz's third slot in the lineup and played the part, smashing his first homer of the season in the first inning. Millar batted fifth, followed by Jay Payton and Mirabelli.

Mills will manage Monday: Francona will be absent from Monday's game against the Reds, as he'll fly to Trenton, N.J., following Sunday's game so he can attend his daughter Alyssa's high school graduation. Bench coach Brad Mills will fill in for Francona.

"I need to be home for this," said Francona. "It's a funny feeling, because I understand the importance of being home. I do not like being away from the ballclub. I don't feel good about that at all. But this is my daughter graduating."

An added luxury of being home for the day is that Francona will also get the rare opportunity to see his daughter play in a softball game.

On deck: Matt Clement, who was roughed up by the Cardinals in his last start, will take the ball in the opener of this six-game homestand. Left-hander Eric Milton will pitch for the Reds.

Source: http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/