A POWERFUL CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM

April 30, 2007 ... No game scheduled ... Mike Lowell led Sox regulars with a .314 average in April, though part-timer Alex Cora was highest on the team at .360. David Ortiz led with seven home runs and 22 RBIs, two more than Lowell. Ortiz and Kevin Youkilis had the highest on-base percentage of regulars at .402. J.D. Drew batted .278 in his first month with the Sox, but a bit of a surprise was that he had just five extra-base hits (three doubles and two home runs). Dustin Pedroia had the lowest average of Sox regulars, .182, while Wily Mo Pena in limited time was at .172. Josh Beckett led the staff with five wins and the starters with an ERA of 2.48. Matsuzaka had a staff-high 38 whiffs. The bullpen had an ERA of 2.18, with Brendan Donnelly unscored upon in nine appearances (6 innings), Jonathan Papelbon unscored upon in nine (9 1/3 innings, eight saves), and Okajima leading in strikeouts with 17, two more than Papelbon. Timlin had the highest ERA in the pen, 5.87.

Sunday was Jacoby Ellsbury's first day off this season. The Portland outfielder has hit safely in a career-high 13 consecutive games, batting .404 (23 for 57). He has reached base in 23 straight contests dating to Aug. 27, 2006. His .455 average (30 for 66) leads all minor leaguers, and he ranks first in the Eastern League with 30 hits, 10 doubles, and a .507 on-base percentage. Ellsbury has started 15 of Portland's 16 games this season.