BOSTON — Mike Lowell's sore right hip kept the World Series MVP out of Boston's starting lineup for Game 4 of the AL playoffs against the Los Angeles Angels today.

The Red Sox led the series 2-1 after the Angels won 5-4 win in 12 innings Sunday night. Lowell, who has a torn labrum in his right hip, walked in the 10th inning. Alex Cora pinch ran for him.

"He's hurting today," Boston manager Terry Francona said. "When he finally did get on base, we ran for him just because if there was a grounder in the hole and he can't get to second, that puts him in an unfair position."

Kevin Youkilis moved from first base to Lowell's regular spot at third base and Mark Kotsay was down to play. J.D. Drew, who hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in Boston's 7-5 win in Game 2, returned in right field after not starting Sunday because of a bad back.

If the Red Sox replace Lowell on the roster during this series, he would be ineligible for the AL championship series.

"Sometimes the best thing to do is try to be a little patient," Francona said. "If you can afford the patience, maybe your patience is rewarded. Now, again, we need to listen to what the doctors have to say."

Lowell's hip injury limited him to one at bat in the Red Sox last 11 regular-season games.

He went 0-for-4 as Boston won the opener 4-1, sat out the second game and went 0-for-4 in the third game.

"His ability to try to play through a bunch of pain is remarkable," Francona said, "but I think we all kind of saw it was difficult for him last night. "

The Angels made one lineup change from Game 2. Mike Napoli moved up from seventh to sixth after hitting two homers and scoring the winning run. Juan Rivera was dropped from sixth to seventh after going 0-for-3.

"Mike really turned it on the last month of the season," manager Mike Scioscia said.