Manny Ramirez misses Red Sox game with sore leg

The Associated Press

Paul Sancya / AP Photo

Boston Red Sox's Manny Ramirez is congratulated after hitting a solo home run against the Detroit Tigers in the seventh inning of an MLB baseball game in Detroit, Tuesday, May 6, 2008.

Ramirez spent the first eight innings on the bench, but pinch-hit for Kevin Cash in the ninth against Twins closer Joe Nathan. He grounded out to shortstop to end the game, won 9-8 by the Twins.

Manager Terry Francona said he saw Ramirez come up a little gimpy while running out a grounder in Saturday night's 5-2 victory over the Twins. Ramirez called Francona on Sunday morning and told him the leg was a little sore.

"When he reached for first last night, I thought I saw him (grab) behind his right hamstring, kind of lower," Francona said before the game. "It looked a little awkward. He called me this morning and said, 'You know what, it's kind of sore.'"

Jacoby Ellsbury took Ramirez's spot in left field. Francona praised Ramirez for alerting him early enough in the day to give the manager ample time to let Ellsbury know to be ready, but didn't seem too concerned with Ramirez's injury.

"He'll be OK," Francona said. "He's a little sore."

Ramirez went 0-for-5 on Saturday night and has just one homer in his last 18 games. He has 497 career home runs.

Shortstop Julio Lugo missed his second straight game while recovering from what the team called a mild concussion. Alex Cora was activated from the disabled list and got the start. The team sent Jed Lowrie down to Triple-A Pawtucket, one night after he went 3-for-4 with his first career home run.

Sean Casey rejoined the team after a stint on the disabled list with a strained right hip and will be activated Monday, Francona said.