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PEDRO MARTINEZ |
THE "IDIOTS" REVERSE THE CURSE
Pedro spins a shutout against the Rays
August 12, 2004 ...
The Red Sox and their legions of loyalists had plenty to smile about in the afterglow of Pedro Martinez twirling his first shutout in four years, a 6-0 laugher over the Devil Rays before 34,804 at Fenway Park. The victory was their third straight and lifted the Sox a season-high 13 games above .500 as they took over sole
possession of the top spot in the wild-card standings with Anaheim's loss to Baltimore.
Martinez could take a great measure of pride in knowing the difference he has made for the Sox as he improved to 13-4 and positioned himself for a run at another 20-win season. When the Sox have needed him the most, Martinez has lost only once in his last 15 starts.
With his latest mastery, Martinez scattered six hits, walked none, and struck out 10 for his first shutout since he one-hit the Rays in a brawl game Aug. 29, 2000, at Tampa Bay. He fired 109 pitches in hurling his first complete game since he went the distance against the Rays last Sept. 16
in the Fens for his 100th victory in a Boston uniform.
As the Sox continued to capitalize on sound defense and timely hitting - so much timely hitting that even third base coach Dale Sveum could muster a smile after Tampa Bay center fielder Rocco Baldelli remarkably burned him by twice more gunning down Sox runners at the plate - Martinez
further silenced the skeptics who doubted him early in the season. He repeatedly hit 93 on the radar gun, held the Rays hitless in eight tries with runners in scoring position, and controlled the strike zone so completely that he went to ball three against only two batters, both in the ninth
inning. His last three have been particularly impressive, as he has gone 2-0 and surrendered only three earned runs over 23 innings for a 1.17 ERA. He has warmed to the weather.
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BILL MUELLER |
Only one Devil Ray reached third, and the runners who did reach base could do little more than witness Martinez mow down their mates. Even when Aubrey Huff doubled leading off the ninth inning, Martinez prevailed, retiring the next three batters without allowing a ball out of the infield. He
ended the game by fanning Jose Cruz on a 93-mile-per-hour heater.
David Ortiz knocked in two runs to give him 102 RBIs, surpassing his previous season high of 101 last year. Kevin Youkilis (2 for 5) has hit safely in six straight games, batting .360 with three homers and 10 RBIs. Bill Mueller (3 for 3 with a walk) has hit .469 over his last
nine games.
The chances of Trot Nixon returning this season seem more diminished as manager Terry Francona acknowledged it would be difficult for Nixon to prepare himself for action in September after the minor league season has ended.
Marking Rhode Island Day, longtime broadcaster Salty Brine tossed a ceremonial first pitch. |
