The Associated Press

ATLANTA - Kevin Millar figured the slumping Boston Red Sox needed a change - any kind of change.

So the colorful first baseman with the bleached-blond hair shaved his head Saturday, hoping it would help produce some wins.

"Last year, at the end of August we went bald and it worked," Millar said. "I didn't plan on having to go bald in July."

Boston had dropped four straight and nine of 12 entering Saturday night's game against Atlanta. Included were a pair of painful losses in extra innings to the Yankees and Braves - on consecutive nights Thursday and Friday.

"I'm trying to find the right combination," said Millar, who claimed he had pledges from several teammates to join the bald brigade. "Obviously, the blond was not the right combination."

While Millar had his own ideas about how to end the slide, manager Terry Francona and GM Theo Epstein were looking elsewhere for answers.

The Red Sox called up relief pitcher Jimmy Anderson, a day after acquiring the left-hander from the Chicago Cubs. Anastacio Martinez was sent back to Triple-A Pawtucket after giving up a three-run homer in the 12th inning of Friday night's 6-3 loss to Atlanta in his first game back with the big league club.

After playing 25 innings in two days, Francona needed fresh arms the way Millar needed a fresh look. Francona also shook up his lineup, batting Trot Nixon second for the first time this year while giving catcher Jason Varitek a rest.

• The flag flap is over for Boston reliever Keith Foulke.

After a personal letter from commissioner Bud Selig, plus talks between the players' union and baseball management, Foulke reluctantly packed away his Boston cap that featured a patch of the American flag. "I still think I should be able to wear it," Foulke said. "But I don't want to do anything that would cost the team."

The son of a U.S. Air Force man, Foulke wore the hat most of the season to show his support for the American troops.

According to the sport's labor agreement, players cannot make individual changes to hats, jerseys and anything else they wear.

CUBS: Todd Hollandsworth was put on the 15-day disabled list Saturday with a bruised right shin. Hollandsworth fouled a ball off his shin last Sunday and has been bothered by nerve problems in his right leg.

With third baseman Aramis Ramirez expected to miss three to five days after straining a groin Friday, the Cubs called up infielder Brendan Harris from Triple-A Iowa to take Hollandsworth's roster spot.

GIANTS: The San Francisco Giants optioned left-hander Noah Lowry to Triple-A Fresno after Saturday's game and will recall right-hander David Aardsma to take his place today.

DODGERS: Los Angeles recalled right-hander Edwin Jackson from Triple-A Las Vegas to start Saturday night's game against the Anaheim Angels.

To make room, the Dodgers placed left-hander Odalis Perez on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to last Sunday because of an inflamed rotator cuff.