Worth noting

• For a couple of members of the Red Sox, Monday night represented a homecoming. Boston pitching coach Juan Nieves was the bullpen coach for the White Sox the last five seasons, and a member of their organization for the last 14 years. He has earned rave reviews early in the season with Boston.

"It's not surprising. He's a good communicator, positive, and he's very intelligent," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said of Nieves. "He just has a good way of relaying information, having been there before. Even for us, we had a lot of rookie guys out in the bullpen thriving with him, so it's not a surprise to us that he's doing well."

It was also a reunion of sorts for Red Sox right-hander Ryan Dempster, who pitched across town for the Cubs from 2004-12.

• Shortstop Stephen Drew was back in the Boston lineup after missing two games with back stiffness.

"He was ready and available yesterday in an emergency off the bench," said Farrell. "Less stiffness today, so we fully expect him to be full go."

• The increasingly popular Futures at Fenway game will return on July 27. The Portland Sea Dogs will play the Harrisburg Senators in a noon ET contest.

Tickets go on sale this Wednesday at noon at redsox.com.

For the first time at Fenway Park, fans can bring their dogs to the ballpark (free of charge). Sections of the seating bowl will be available to owners and their pets where rest areas, water bowls and activities will be provided. There will also be a photo station for dogs and their owners and the opportunity to participate in a pregame dog parade around the warning track.