"Based on how he swung the bat in yesterday's 5-3 loss against Seattle, Kevin Youkilis's sore back is feeling much better.

The third baseman hit the ball hard twice, the second time resulting in a two-run home run in the eighth inning.

Youkilis played the entire game against the Twins Wednesday night in Minnesota, but he was unable to take the field after the Sox arrived in Seattle, missing the first two games of the series."