In what could be his final rehab start for Triple-A Pawtucket, Daisuke Matsuzaka gave up four runs — three earned — in 5 2/3 innings Wednesday against Lehigh Valley.
The right hander surrendered six hits, struck out eight and did not walk a batter. He left with an 8-4 lead.
Matsuzaka, who threw 66 of 99 pitches for strikes, allowed an unearned run in the second when catcher Dusty Brown had a passed ball with a man on third. He served up a solo homer in the fifth and departed after a two-run single with two down in the sixth.
Red Sox officials have not said what will happen with the Red Sox starting rotation when Matsuzaka returns. Clay Buchholz, who was the No. 5 starter to open the season, makes his third start of the year Thursday against Texas.
In 16 2/3 innings spanning three starts for the PawSox, Matsuzaka has allowed just the three earned runs. He has struck out 15 and walked only one.
