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MANNY RAMIREZ |
THE "IDIOTS" REVERSE THE CURSE
Pedro Ks eleven
Indians and
Manny becomes an American citizen
May 11, 2004 ... It was
pinch hitter David McCarty's 200-foot triple to right in the eighth that allowed the go-ahead runs to score in Boston's 5-3 triumph over the Cleveland Indians. It was Bill Mueller's key double earlier in the inning that scored pinch runner Cesar Crespo to tie it. It was Pedro Martinez, who fanned 11 in seven strong innings,
retiring the final 16 batters he faced. And it was David Ortiz, who gave the Red Sox life with a two- out double that started the rally in the eighth.
Alan Embree was very thankful for what transpired after he allowed a two-out home run in the top of the eighth by Victor Martinez that gave Cleveland a 3-2 lead. Foulke had gotten in an inning Monday, but last night's save, his seventh of the season, was his first since last Thursday. He retired the side
in order in the ninth, with two strikeouts, to preserve the win for Embree.
Ortiz was certainly the hottest Sox hitter. In addition to his double that started things in the eighth, he belted a long home run into the bleachers in the fourth inning and singled to left in the sixth.
Martinez had to deal with a callus that cropped up on his throwing hand in the second inning, but he was unhittable after that. He allowed two runs in the first, similar to his last outing in Cleveland five days earlier, also against Sabathia in a 5-2 Sox win. He knew,
because of his high strikeout total, he was also amassing a lot of pitches. While there was a smattering of boos when he was announced before the game, Martinez walked off to a boisterous ovation of which he was appreciative.
Manny Ramirez: proud American. The Red Sox slugger, who became a naturalized citizen in a ceremony at Miami Convention Center Monday, spoke yesterday about his experience. After the game, the Sox announced that struggling righthander Byung Hyun Kim was optioned to
Pawtucket.
Swing men Nomar Garciaparra and Trot Nixon took live batting practice against Portland Sea Dogs righthander Eric Glaser, and both impressed Francona. Garciaparra said he will participate in another simulated game today.
Patriots receiver Troy Brown took batting practice yesterday afternoon and found the other sport tougher than it looks, swinging and missing on a few offerings. Brown was promoting his "Celebrity Bingo" event at Gillette Stadium tomorrow night. Unbeknownst
to Brown, watching him take swings was Patriots vice president of player personnel Scott Pioli, who was on the field as a guest of Indians general manager Mark Shapiro, an old friend. |
