One may catch Varitek being emotional

CHICAGO — Red Sox captain Jason Varitek acknowledged last night that the coming five games could be his final ones with the team.“It’s there,’’ he said, his voice cracking with emotion. “That’s obvious. I mean, I try not to think about it and I hope you guys don’t ask me too much about it over the weekend. But it’s there. Definitely, it’s there.’’Varitek, 38, will be a free agent after the season and is unlikely to be retained. Last night’s 5-4 loss against the White Sox was only the second game he has started since coming off the disabled list Sept. 6.In Jarrod Saltalamacchia, the Red Sox have already obtained a catcher they believe can serve as a backup next season.Varitek has played 1,477 games for the Red Sox since being called up for the first time in 1997 and been a key part of two World Series winners. He is adamant about continuing his career but clearly is wrestling with the emotions of leaving the Red Sox.“I try and focus on what I have to do,’’ he said. “It’s been a long time.’’Bard struggles Daniel Bard blew his seventh save, giving up a run in the eighth inning. The setup man, so good all season, has allowed five runs on 12 hits and six walks in his last 12 innings.Bard walked Manny Ramirez to start the inning, losing an 11-pitch battle. Pinch runner Brett Lilibridge stole second and scored on a double by Paul Konerko.“I thought Manny’s at-bat was really good,’’ Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. “Big at-bat.’’Francona is not concerned about Bard, however.“I still think he’s pretty good,’’ he said. “He gave up a run tonight. I wish he wouldn’t of. But I think he’s pretty good.’’Making sacrifice Darnell McDonald has 11 sacrifice bunts this season, the most for a Red Sox player since Darren Lewis had 14 in 1999.Nobody is more surprised than McDonald himself.“Honestly I have no idea how I’m getting them down,’’ he said. “I haven’t bunted that often in my career.’’McDonald did not have a sacrifice bunt in 156 major league plate appearances prior to this season and only four over the course of his last three years in the minor leagues.But McDonald has found a way. His 11 sacrifices are tied for fifth in the American League.McDonald had his latest two sacrifices in Monday’s 6-1 victory against the White Sox and both led to runs being scored. In each case, Marco Scutaro led off with a double and McDonald bunted him over to third base.Victor Martinez followed with a sacrifice fly in the third inning. He had an RBI single in the seventh.McDonald has had two sac bunts in the same game three times this season. The last Red Sox player to do that was pitcher Ray Culp in 1971, the year before the designated hitter was instituted in the American League.“I think that’s part of what [McDonald] can do,’’ Francona said. “Those are important at-bats. I know with a week to go in the season, I’m not sure how many guys, maybe their heart’s not in it. His is. It’s very noticeable and we appreciate it.’’McDonald is one of two AL players in the last four seasons to have as many as 11 sacrifices and nine home runs in the same season. Franklin Gutierrez of Seattle had 18 home runs and 13 sacrifices in 2009.Among Red Sox, you have to go back to 1993 when both John Valentin and Billy Hatcher did it.McDonald, a former first-round pick, spent most of his career in the minors before sticking with the Red Sox this year. At 31 and desirous of a major league contract next season, he’s willing to do whatever is asked.“That’s my job. I always play to win, no matter what. What is it that [former NFL coach] Herm Edwards said? You play to win the game? That’s how I feel.“I try and have that attitude every day I come to the field and be ready when my name is called. I’ll do what they ask. If they want me to move guys over, I’ll move them over. If you do things that contribute to winning baseball, people will notice.’’According to research done by the Red Sox, McDonald is the first player in franchise history to have as many as nine home runs, 10 sacrifices, nine stolen bases, and nine outfield assists in the same season.“I kind of like that,’’ McDonald said while grinning. “I guess I’m versatile.’’Salty has surgery Saltalamacchia had surgery on his left thumb at the Cleveland Clinic. According to Francona, Dr. Thomas Graham found a full tear of the ulnar collateral ligament. Saltalamacchia will need 4-6 weeks of rehab and recovery before resuming baseball activities. He is expected to be ready for the start of spring training . . . Martinez extended his hitting streak to 13 games . . . Say this for Francona, he’s imaginative. Last night’s outfield of Josh Reddick, Eric Patterson, and J.D. Drew was the 44th different combination he has used in 157 games this season . . . David Ortiz has 999 RBIs as a designated hitter. The record of 1,003 is held by Edgar Martinez . . . Felix Lopez made his debut, going 0 for 4 as the second baseman. The Sox signed Lopez with the idea of obtaining a draft pick in return once he becomes a free agent. “I didn’t want him to come here and not be able to play. That’s not good,’’ Francona said. Lopez became the 53d player to appear in a game this season for the Red Sox, one more than last year. In all, the team has had 55 players on the active roster for at least one day . . . The pennant race could be history by then. But Fox has picked up Saturday’s game against the Yankees, meaning the game will start at 4:10 p.m.