BUFFALO, N.Y. – Mike Lowell of the Red Sox, coming back from a sprained left thumb, had a single in four plate appearances for Triple-A Pawtucket on Saturday night.

Lowell, the most valuable player in the 2007 World Series, also committed an error in four chances at third base as Pawtucket lost 4-1 to the Buffalo Bisons in the second game of his minor league rehab assignment.

“I had a couple of well-hit balls at me, so I passed the test,” said Lowell, who is scheduled to appear as a designated hitter in one more game on Sunday before returning to Boston.

“I would have preferred not to air-mail that one throw, but I can’t blame that one on my thumb – it was the other hand.”

He hit into a fielder’s choice in the first inning, but was erased at the front end of a double play. In the third, he singled on a perfect hit-and-run, advancing a runner to third. In the fifth, he flied out to left field. In his final at-bat in the eighth, he grounded out.

“I was able to do what I wanted,” Lowell said. “I feel like I’m seeing the ball well, and that’s a good step.” In the first game of the rehab stint on Friday, he went 1-of-5 with two RBIs as the DH against Syracuse.

The 34-year-old is making his first appearances in the minors since 1999, when he played 24 games with Triple-A Calgary while coming back from testicular cancer surgery as a member of the Florida Marlins.

Ortiz scratched due to knee bruise

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz was scratched from the starting lineup for Saturday night’s game against Tampa Bay due to a bruised right knee.

Ortiz was hurt while diving into first base attempting to beat out a double-play grounder in the final inning of Friday’s 5-4, 11-inning loss to the Rays.

“I was hoping he wouldn’t feel it today,” Boston manager Terry Francona said. “We’ll give him a little time and let it get better.”

The injury is not considered serious.

Also, the Red Sox placed first baseman Sean Casey on the 15-day disabled list with a right hip flexor injury and recalled first baseman Brandon Moss from Triple-A Pawtucket. Casey was hurt while running the bases in Friday’s game.

“He actually says he feels OK,” Francona said of Casey. “The medical staff, they’re not convinced that he can safely go out there the next couple days.”

Right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka, who missed his last start with flulike symptoms, threw a 50-pitch bullpen session at Fenway Park. Dice-K could make his next start Tuesday or Wednesday.

AP-ES-04-26-08 1807EDT