PAWTUCKET, R.I. (AP) – Boston Red Sox outfielder Trot Nixon showed no ill effects from the back injury that put him on the disabled list last month during a rehabilitation assignment at Triple-A Pawtucket on Sunday.

Nixon, who has been sidelined since July 27 with a strained left oblique muscle, was 1-for-2 with a sacrifice fly and a walk in four plate appearances as Pawtucket defeated the Rochester Red Wings 5-2.

“As for my oblique, everything felt fine,” Nixon said. “I felt good in (right field). I caught a few fly balls, too. I felt reasonably comfortable at the plate. I’m happy with my day and I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”

Nixon, who batted in the leadoff spot, lined a 1-and-1 pitch from losing pitcher Boof Bonser (10-8) to center field for a single in the first inning and scored on Kevin Youkilis’ home run.

Nixon hit a 1-and-0 pitch to center field in the second inning that was caught on the warning track for a sacrifice fly to give the Red Sox a 3-2 lead.

He struck out on three pitches in the fourth, and left the game after drawing a walk in the sixth.

“For the past few days I’ve been kind of cutting it loose in batting practice and the results have been very good,” Nixon said. “It’s a little bit different, obviously, when you get into a game situation because you’re not constantly swinging over and over again like you do in BP.

“Obviously, you don’t like to strike out, but even on that strikeout I took kind of an awkward swing and it felt good.”

Nixon played six games at Pawtucket last year during two rehab stints because of a herniated disk and torn left quad.

“Every player goes through some DL stints and they can be difficult at times,” he said. “But you have to put things in perspective and be smart when you rehab so you don’t spend more time on the DL. I went through that last year so I kind of learned my lesson. I listen to what the training staff wants me to do and stick with the program and not try to do too much with this injury.”

Nixon will be the designated hitter for Pawtucket on Monday then is scheduled to rejoin Boston in Kansas City on Tuesday, at which time his condition will be assessed and a decision made on whether or not to activate him for the series against the Royals.