NEW YORK -- Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona is too busy worrying about his team to fret over his own job status. Boston held a nine-game lead over Tampa Bay in the AL wild-card race on Sept. 4 and seemed set to glide into the playoffs. Then a 4-14 skid left the Red Sox 2 1-2 games in front of the Rays. Francona is in the final guaranteed year of his contract, and the Red Sox hold an option for 2012 and 2013. Some have suggested his job status is uncertain. "I guess I better address that a little bit, so I dont have to address it more," Francona said before Fridays game against the New York Yankees was postponed by rain. "I dont feel any different than I ever have. The organization not only has the right, but its their obligation to get the right person, the person they think is the best. If at some point they think it needs to be somebody else -- other than that, I think its disrespectful for me to spend one waking moment thinking about my situation. We need to win games, so thats how I intend to do it." Francona was hired by the Red Sox for the 2004 season and managed them to their first World Series title since 1918. The Red Sox won another championship in 2007. After peaking at 31 games over .500 (82-51) in late August, the Red Sox have dropped seven games back of the Yankees, who already have clinched the AL East for the 12th time in 16 seasons. "It doesnt really matter to me," Francona said of the job speculation. "I feel like I feel, and I wont change how I feel regardless of whether its a story or not. I have a job to do that I care a lot about. And like I said, if I spent any energy on me, that would be a disservice to the organization, and I dont plan on doing that." Speaking in the third base dugout before the rainout, Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein said Franconas status wouldnt be addressed until the Red Sox are done playing for the year. "Were going to take the same stance that we do with players who have options. This is an off-season issue," Epstein said, according to the Boston Globe. "Were struggling to turn this around, and were going to turn this thing around. Thats the focus, on the field. Thats how Tito would want it. Thats how I want it." Epstein denied an assertion by the MLB Networks Peter Gammons on "The Dan Patrick Show" that there was "an increasing disconnect" between the manager and the GM. "Were all on the same page," Epstein said. With the postponement, Jon Lester (15-8) was pushed back to Saturdays 4:10 p.m. local time game, when the Yankees will start Freddy Garcia (11-8). Tim Wakefield (7-7) and John Lackey (12-12) will start Sunday, with A.J. Burnett (10-11) and Ivan Nova (16-4) going for the Yankees. Both managers were unsure who would start in the 1:05 p.m. game and who would be held back for the 6:30 p.m. makeup. Lackey is 0-3 with a 9.12 earned-run average in his past five starts. Francona considered using Alfredo Aceves but decided to keep him in the bullpen. "The balance for me is can we probably use Aceves maybe five out of the next six days, as opposed to one day where hes not totally stretched out, and if he pitches good, the guy were going to want to get to is Aceves," Francona said. But staying in routine also was a factor. "Trying to be consistent I think is huge," Francona said. "Now, saying that, you certainly want to learn from whats gone wrong, or youre kind of missing the boat." Barring more rain, Bostons season will come down to six games in five days. A month ago, such pressure was inconceivable. "We dont have any excuses, not an excuse in the world," Epstein said. "Its time to step up and show what were made of. This is a stretch of disappointing play, and we own that. We cant run away from that. Its certainly not too late." NOTES: Because of the rainout, Lester is likely to pitch Wednesdays regular-season finale at Baltimore on three days rest. ... RHP Clay Buchholz, who hasnt pitched since June 16 because of a stress fracture in his lower back, threw 40 pitches before the game in a session moved to a batting cage from the bullpen due to rain. He threw 17 pitches with batters not taking swings, then 23 to hitters. "The next thing is probably a game," Francona said. ... OF J.D. Drew (left shoulder) hit in a cage and 3B-IB Kevin Youkilis (sports hernia and hip bursitis) batted off a tee. Drew hasnt played since July 19, and Youkilis since Sept. 15. cheap jerseys . Their offensive linemen? They got a free dinner. The Calgary Stampeders O-line has been one of the most potent in the Canadian Football League this season, helping propel the team to Sundays 100th Grey Cup game versus the Toronto Argonauts. wholesale jerseys . And this time, the left-hander got a victory for his complete effort. For the second time in his last four starts, Cecil went the distance against one of the American Leagues top teams, limiting the AL West-leading Texas Rangers to four singles in a 3-0 victory Sunday night for his first career shutout. http://www.jerseyscheapnfl.us.com/ . Johnny Aprile, six-foot-two and 208 pounds out of Queens, was the 16th pick overall earlier this month and the Bombers plan on using him as a defensive back. Cheap Montreal Expos Jerseys .C. -- Jim Larranaga snipped the final strand of net hanging from the rim, then faced his players and cheering fans to twirl it in the air before draping it around his neck. Cheap Washington Nationals Jerseys .Y. -- Wil Myers has spent this week making a major name for himself in minor league baseball.WALTON HEATH, England -- British Open champion Darren Clarke has withdrawn from next months U.S. Open in San Francisco because of a groin injury. 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