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“DIARY OF A WINNER”
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THE "IDIOTS" REVERSE THE CURSE June 13, 2004 ... Seldom are 35,000 fans heard chanting for a curtain call after a player has made a great defensive play. Pokey Reese never came out for a bow before the bottom of the seventh, but his leaping grab of Dave Roberts' liner in the top of seventh, which ended a Dodger rally and protected Pedro Martinez's three-run lead, certainly warranted one. In the end, Reese's play, with two on and two out, right after Nomar Garciaparra had muffed Alex Cora's grounder was perfect timing on a night when Martinez wasn't overpowering, but very good nonetheless, in a 4-1 Sox win over Los Angeles. The combination of defense, Martinez, and a three-run fourth was enough for the Sox to end this interleague homestand at 4-2 as they embark on a six-game road trip through Denver and San Francisco. The Sox kept pace with the Yankees, who posted yet another come-from-behind win to maintain their 3-game lead in the American League East. But with news that Trot Nixon will return Wednesday, the Sox will have nearly their entire projected starting lineup healthy. Still missing is third baseman Bill Mueller (knee surgery), who will join the team in San Francisco next weekend to begin his road back sometime around or after the All-Star break. Martinez, who improved to 7-3, allowed just one run on seven hits while walking two and striking out five. He threw 113 pitches in stringing his second straight excellent start on the homestand. Mike Timlin retired the first two men he faced in the eighth, and lefty Alan Embree struck out lefthanded-hitting Shawn Green for the final out in the eighth. Keith Foulke pitched the ninth to record his 13th save. Trot Nixon showed up at Fenway Park with a suitcase in his hand and plans to head to Denver for the Red Sox' trip to Colorado and San Francisco. After a brief meeting with manager Terry Francona and general manager Theo Epstein, Nixon, who went 1 for 5 as the designated hitter for Pawtucket yesterday, was cleared to travel to Colorado. Ellis Burks will make the trip, but the veteran slugger has been frustrated the past few weeks by swelling in his surgically- repaired left knee. Terry Francona reported after the game that Curt Schilling had his best side session of the season yesterday. There are concerns Schilling might have to go on the disabled list to rest his troublesome right ankle, but from what Francona saw Schilling was extremely happy. The righthander is scheduled to pitch Wednesday in Colorado, and will undergo an MRI Thursday to determine whether the bone bruise has worsened. Tim Wakefield was wearing a brace on his right hand after his thumb swelled up when he fell on it during Saturday's start. Francona didn't think it would prevent Wakefield from making his next start in San Francisco. |
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