"Red Sox manager Terry Francona yesterday made note of the steady improvements left fielder Carl Crawford has made since coming off the disabled list last Monday.

"Actually, I think he looks a little bit better," Francona said prior to his team's 12-8 victory against the Seattle Mariners at Fenway Park.

"He got rewarded and got a couple of hits the first game (against the Baltimore Orioles). I thought that relaxed him at the plate. But I think on the bases he's been really aggressive. He's taken off on the first pitch maybe three times, which maybe he wasn't necessarily doing before.

"So it is obvious that he feels good physically. I think he's in a good place."

Crawford is 9-for-24 with two doubles, four RBI, four runs, two walks and two stolen bases since coming off the DL. He had been sidelined since straining his left hamstring while attempting to beat out a throw to first base in a June 17 game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Fenway. Yesterday, Crawford delivered at the plate, on the basepaths and in left field to help the Sox complete a three-game sweep of the Mariners. He went 3-for-4 with a double, two runs, two RBI and a walk.

"As far as health-wise, I feel great," Crawford said. "The swing feels a little better, and I'm starting to get into a little groove."