THE "IDIOTS" REVERSE THE CURSE
The Sox rally falls short

May 12, 2004 ... Whether the 35,371 on hand last night were aware of how poorly the Tribe pen has performed this season is debatable, though they need only have reviewed what happened to know that sticking around was advisable. The Sox had staged a late-inning rally against a Cleveland relief corps that took a 5-12 record and 7.09 ERA into last night's game, and had nine blown saves in 13 opportunities. Eleven times this season, the Indians were either tied or leading in the seventh inning, and lost.

Form very nearly held, as the Sox scored twice in the ninth before succumbing, 6-4, leaving them with a 3-3 split of this six- game homestand.

That would be second baseman Mark Bellhorn, after the Sox had scored twice off Indians closer Rafael Betancourt on doubles by Bill Mueller and pinch hitter Brian Daubach, and a bleeder up the middle by Johnny Damon that neither shortstop Omar Vizquel nor second baseman Ronnie Belliard offered at. But Betancourt had the final say, as Bellhorn struck out for the third time and 40th time this season, most in the majors, and in only 113 at-bats.

Despite a four-run advantage the Indians had built against knuckleballer Tim Wakefield through the first six innings, there was still the thought the Sox were merely positioning themselves for another comeback. No one on the home side was disappointed when Cleveland lefthander Cliff Lee was lifted after six innings, having allowed only a run in the first on Manny Ramirez's two-out double and another in the sixth on doubles by Kevin Millar and Doug Mirabelli.

But Lee, a product of a school (University of Arkansas) better known for producing football and basketball players than baseball players (he is one of five former Razorbacks in the big leagues), left here with a 4-0 record, as two other members of the Indians' bullpen held the Sox at bay before Betancourt. Indians reliever David Riske survived third baseman Lou Merloni's error to pitch a scoreless seventh, inducing Damon to ground into only his second double play this season, and Double-Zero Rick White breezed through the heart of the Sox order in the eighth, retiring David Ortiz, Ramirez, and Millar on fly balls.

These young Indians can hit. Their .281 average is fourth best in the league, and only three American League teams: the Angels, Rangers, and Tigers have scored more runs. Outfielder Jody Gerut, who was fourth last season in Rookie of the Year balloting and might have been jobbed, had three hits, extending his hitting streak to 15 games, and would have had a fourth if not for a diving catch by Damon. They also took liberties on the bases, stealing three bags, and were helped by three Sox throwing errors, one each by Mirabelli, Wakefield, and reliever Lenny DiNardo.

The Sox head north still in first place, the Yankees having been trounced by the Angels to remain a half-game back.

Jamie Brown was brought up from Pawtucket.  He was 3-1 with a 2.84 ERA in six starts with Pawtucket, walking only two batters in 38 innings and striking out 27. Brown also limited opponents to a .199 average. In his start last Saturday, he held Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to one run on two hits in a 7-1 win.

Applause broke out behind home plate as Bill Belichick passed along the concourse on his way to his seat, and the rest of Fenway joined in a standing ovation when the Patriots coach was shown on the video board. Belichick responded by standing and waving, but he was trumped by Kevin Millar, who tipped his helmet at home plate in mock acknowledgment of the ovation.