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“DIARY OF A WINNER”
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THE "IDIOTS" REVERSE THE CURSE May 2, 2004 ... A night after the Sox went 2 for 13 with runners in scoring position, dropping their league-worst average to .226 in those situations, they fell on their bats again last night in a 4-1 loss to the Rangers before 31,538 at The Ballpark in Arlington. The Sox dropped a third straight game, also for the first time this year, as they went hitless in their only three chances with runners in scoring position and effectively stranded all but one other runner who reached base. As the crowd chanted, "Sweep, sweep, sweep" before a national television audience, the Sox were unable to prevent the Rangers from brooming them in a three-game series for the first time since Aug. 20-22, 1999, also in Texas. The Sox, in their futility, wasted a dazzling start by Tim Wakefield, who rationed the red-hot Rangers only two runs on five hits and a hit batsman over seven innings. Overcoming his personal demons in Texas, where he rarely has fared well, Wakefield departed with a 2.25 ERA after improving the average he has allowed opponents to .196, one of the league's best. The Rangers nicked Wakefield only when Brad Fullmer lined a triple past center fielder Johnny Damon and scored on Mark Teixeira's groundout in the fourth inning and when David Dellucci launched a solo shot with two out in the seventh. Wakefield's relief, Alan Embree, allowed the final two Texas runs in the eighth inning when Michael Young tripled and scored on Hank Blalock's sacrifice fly before Alfonso Soriano cranked his 100th career homer. Missing Nomar Garciaparra and Trot Nixon more than ever, the Sox headed for a long late-night flight to Cleveland hoping to re-spark their sputtering offense. They mustered only four hits and six walks against Texas starter R.A. Dickey, who went 8 innings, and closer Francisco Cordero. The challenge of trying to forge ahead without Nomar Garciaparra and Trot Nixon in the lineup grew a little dicier when Nixon suffered an injury to his left quadriceps that will further delay his return. He is expected to be limited to batting practice for at least a couple of days before he resumes trying to play his way back from a mildly herniated disk. He played Saturday in an extended spring game, collecting two hits in eight plate appearances. A chartered jet carried some precious cargo - Curt Schilling, Pedro Martinez, and Derek Lowe - from Texas to Cleveland while the Sox were playing their series finale against the Rangers. Francona indicated Schilling, who is scheduled to start tonight against the Indians, leased the aircraft. Francona gave the three permission to fly ahead after they completed their workouts. The Sox were due to arrive in Cleveland no earlier than 4 a.m. A cold virus has struck much of the team, particularly the pitchers and catchers. A number of players are taking antibiotics. |
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