ORLANDO CABRERA

THE "IDIOTS" REVERSE THE CURSE
Late defensive lapse foils Pedro

August 1, 2004 ... The Sox pen played a pivotal role for the second straight day in squandering a well-pitched game by their starter, Pedro Martinez, as the Sox dropped to 41- 41 since May Day while losing their eighth straight series on the road.

Orlando Cabrera, who had a long flight to Tampa Bay arrived an hour before the game. He had an eighth inning error, which spoiled an otherwise splendid debut. He became the eighth player in Sox history to homer in his first plate appearance with the team, cracking a solo shot off the league's hottest starter, Johan Santana.

Thanks to Kevin Millar's sacrifice fly in the seventh, Martinez departed with a 3-2 lead after firing 101 pitches with a slightly aggravated right hip.

The Sox, like almost every other team in the league, had no success against Twins closer Joe Nathan, who has not allowed an earned run since June 6 in converting 15 straight saves. Not that they had much success against Santana, who has held opponents to a .119 batting average in 11 starts since June 9. He's 8-2 in those starts, fanning 112 and walking just 18. The wonder was that the Sox positioned themselves to win despite mustering only two hits, solo homers by Cabrera in the first and Manny Ramirez in the fourth (Torii Hunter made a leaping catch at the center-field wall to rob David McCarty of a homer in the third).

Amid a 2-2 deadlock, the Sox seized the lead in the seventh after Santana plunked Jason Varitek in the left side with a pitch. Varitek stole second and reached third on catcher Matt LeCroy's throwing error, setting up Millar's sac fly.

Martinez matched the rising star, Santana, for seven innings, allowing two runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out 11. Martinez said he could have pitched deeper into the game but accepted Francona's decision. And as disappointed as Martinez was by the outcome, he said he was heartened by the promise of the revamped Sox.

Pedro Martinez fanned 11 batters, marking the 68th time he has struck out 10 or more in a game for the Sox, tying him with Roger Clemens for the club record.

The Red Sox were missing another potent bat with David Ortiz out of the lineup. Ortiz decided before the game to begin serving his five-game suspension for a tirade in Anaheim, Calif., July 16 after it became clear Major League Baseball planned to reject his appeal.

The Sox need not worry about losing Jason Varitek, Kapler, or Trot Nixon any time soon to the suspensions they received for their roles in the July 24 brawl at Fenway Park with the Yankees. Hearings on their appeals have been scheduled for Aug. 26th. That made it easier to send catcher/ first baseman Andy Dominique back to Triple A Pawtucket to make room for Cabrera without worrying about needing a backup for Doug Mirabelli if Varitek were to miss time.

Outfielder Dave Roberts tried to join the Sox in Minnesota but was stalled by a fatal accident on Interstate 5 in California. He is scheduled to join the team today in Tampa Bay.