``We know there's a history there between the pitcher in New York and our guys here, so, not to say that he was specifically out to do that, but I think history speaks for itself,'' Farrell said. ``And we've got a number of games left with these guys.''

Farrell declined to speak during batting practice, but Bay addressed the lingering controversy with what amounted to a shrug.

``It's not the first time I've been hit,'' Bay said, ``and it definitely won't be the last.''

Bay had already blasted a three-run homer in the first inning to give the Sox a 4-0 lead in Tuesday's eventual 7-3 victory. That shot came on the heels of his two-run homer the night before.

Add the fact that Bay finished the night 10-for-18 with three home runs and 10 RBI in five games against the Yankees this year - as well as Chamberlain's curious history of head hunting against Kevin Youkilis - and it's easy to see why the Red Sox might have smelled a rat.

``I don't even know that he has a beef,'' Bay said. ``It's something that for whatever reason comes up. Some people are a little more intense than others.''

Injury report

Manager Terry Francona sounded optimistic on the Sox' injury front.

Center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury, who left Tuesday's game with a sore hamstring, sat out last night's 9-2 loss to Cleveland but may play tonight.

``I think we're hopeful,'' Francona said.

Youkilis, who is fighting an injury near his back and side, is considered day-to-day. Francona said after the game the first baseman will probably sit tonight as well.

Outfielder Rocco Baldelli is close to a return as well after playing consecutive games at Triple-A Pawtucket on a rehab assignment. He was at Fenway Park yesterday and there was a possibility he could be activated after last night's game.

Right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka, fresh off Tuesday's rehab start in Pawtucket, will probably make his next start at Double-A Portland as he returns from arm fatigue.

Finally, rehabbing right-hander John Smoltz threw comfortably from 60 feet as he works his way back from shoulder soreness.

Lowrie pleased

Shortstop Jed Lowrie was in the clubhouse sporting a brace on his surgically repaired left wrist, hopeful he'll return in 6-8 weeks.

One thing he's not doing is regretting the decision to choose rest and rehab over offseason surgery.

``Surgery's not something I just wanted to jump into,'' Lowrie said. ``I hadn't (yet) tried rest and rehab over the offseason. It worked. It was getting better. But I didn't have the luxury of waiting as long as it takes for it to completely heal.'' . . .

The Sox hadn't lost at Fenway Park since April 9 against Tampa Bay, ending a nine-game home winning streak. . . . Jonathan Van Every continues to make the Indians pay. A week after blasting a game-winning homer against the team that drafted him, he added two more hits last night and is now 4-for-8 with a homer and three RBI against the Tribe. . . .

Bay scored his 500th run in the second inning. . . . Cleveland's 2-3-4-5 hitters went 12-for-19 with two homers, two doubles, a triple and eight RBI. . . . Fifteen years after being drafted by the Sox , Indians starter Carl Pavano finally won his first game at Fenway.