Drew powers Red Sox to victory in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania (Reuters) - J.D. Drew led the Boston Red Sox to a 7-4 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday, falling a triple short of hitting for the cycle and taking some revenge on a hostile crowd.

The right-fielder has been booed in Philadelphia since refusing to sign with the Phillies after they drafted him with the second overall pick of the 1997 amateur draft.

Drew responded by tying a career-high with four hits and recorded four RBIs, lifting the American League-leading Red Sox (46-29) to their second win in the three-game interleague series between the teams.

The victory came despite the absence of injured Red Sox sluggers Manny Ramirez and Kevin Youkilis. Center fielder Coco Crisp was forced to leave the game with a hand injury after his first at-bat.

"It's pretty impressive," Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell told reporters. "Any time you don't have David and (Youkilis), and then Coco comes out and we put seven runs on the board; it says a lot of guys are picking up the slack and doing their job."

Boston scored four runs in the first inning off Philadelphia starter Kyle Kendrick. Drew hit a three-run home run to right-center field and Lowell added a solo homer.

Pinch-hitter Brandon Moss's two RBI single in the third inning gave the Red Sox a 6-1 advantage and Kendrick was relieved after the inning.

Boston starter Justin Masterson (4-1) threw five innings before handing over to the bullpen. Closer Jonathan Papelbon picked up his 21st save of the year with a perfect 1-2-3 inning in the ninth.

The National League East-leading Phillies (42-32) have now lost six of their last nine games.

"We've lost three series in a row, but we've played three tough teams," Philadelphia slugger Ryan Howard told reporters. "It's still the first half of the season. There's still a lot of baseball to be played."

(Reporting by Jahmal Corner; Editing by Ed Osmond)