Today's Gut Punch: Ortiz Sent Back To Boston For More Heart Tests

The Red Sox will limp through two more games in Oakland, but David Ortiz is already back in Boston.

He was scratched from last night's lineup about 20 minutes before the game because of a recurrence of an irregular heartbeat. (Initial reports that he had the flu were incorrect.) Ortiz experienced the fast heartbeat about 60-90 minutes before the game. He was not taken to a hospital, but simply returned to the team's hotel.

Wily Mo Pena: "He told me it's still bothering him and he doesn't know where it's coming from. Everybody's worried, especially him." Francona: "We honestly think he's OK. ... He's going to get a clean bill of health before we let him play again."

Manny Ramirez will likely not play until Thursday. Tito: "I bet he could pinch hit, but if he aggravates it, we sat one of the best players in baseball two, three, four days then set him back again."

Both Jason Varitek and Trot Nixon should begin brief minor league rehab assignments Thursday. ... The Red Sox have not decided whether to rest Jon Lester for the rest of the season.

Carlos Pena: "Growing up around Boston and being such a fan, it's a dream come true. I've always dreamed about wearing this uniform, and to be able to do it is a blessing." (Mo Vaughn was his favorite player.)

Not only is Boston's August record of 8-19 the worst in the majors, it is also the first time the team has lost 19 games in a calendar month since April 1996.