Manny Ramirez got every bit of an 82-mph, first-pitch offering from former teammate Chad Bradford and sent it soaring high and far into the Baltimore night for his 500th career homer.

Designated hitter David Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox left Saturday's game against the Baltimore Orioles in the ninth inning after sustaining a left wrist sprain while fouling off a pitch. X-rays were negative and Ortiz is listed as day to day, though Ortiz said after Boston's 6-3 victory that he doubted he would play Sunday.

Manny Ramirez connected for career homer No. 500 on Saturday night, hitting a drive off Baltimore Orioles right-hander Chad Bradford to become the 24th major leaguer to reach the milestone. Ramirez drove the first pitch into the seats in right-center in the seventh inning. The Red Sox star watched the flight of the ball, then took off around the bases.

Dreadlocks are in fashion in the exclusive 500-home run club, now that Manny Ramirez has added his name to the list of baseball's most prolific sluggers. Ramirez became the 24th player to reach the milestone, connecting in the seventh inning off Chad Bradford to help the Boston Red Sox beat the Baltimore Orioles 6-3 Saturday night.

The Red Sox will start Thursday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays one hour earlier to enable Boston Celtics fans to watch Game 1 of the NBA finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. Red Sox President and Chief Executive Officer Larry Lucchino announced the decision Saturday, saying he will also be rooting for the Celtics as they look for a record 17th NBA championship.

Inside Edge analyzes Boston Red Sox slugger Manny Ramirez getting to 500 home runs and what lies ahead.

The home run by Boston left fielder Manny Ramirez in the seventh inning off Baltimore righthander Chad Bradford was the 500th of his major league career. Ramirez is the 24th player to reach this milestone.

There was progress on the J.D. Drew front. When the right fielder woke up on Saturday, he did not feel as though he was sitting on a merry-go-round, as was the case on Friday. Perhaps the condition will lessen to the point that he's available by Sunday.

As competitive as Daisuke Matsuzaka is, it's not easy for him to find the silver lining in being placed on the disabled list with a right rotator cuff strain. However, he is trying, saying, "I'm going to treat this next little while as a mini-camp and do my best to get better."

A position-by-position look at the matchups in the NBA finals between the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers. CENTER: Kendrick Perkins vs. Pau Gasol. The Lakers wouldn't be here without their midseason acquisition of Gasol from Memphis. He's a good passer for a big man, making him an excellent fit for the triangle offense, and is shooting 53 percent in the postseason while averaging 17.7 points.

Recognizing that the Celtics are in the NBA Finals for the first time since 1987 and that Game 1 at TD Banknorth Garden conflicts with a Fenway Park contest against the Tampa Bay Rays, the Red Sox have bumped the start of Thursday night's game to 6:05 p.m. ET, an hour ahead of schedule.