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PEDRO MARTINEZ |
THE "IDIOTS" REVERSE THE CURSE
Pedro masters the Tigers at Fenway
August 28, 2004 ... With Pedro Martinez masterful, the Sox overcame a strong challenge from Detroit
starter Jeremy Bonderman and rollicked to a 5-1 victory before 35,032 on the steamiest night of the summer in the Fens.
Pedro Martinez led the way to the latest victory as he enhanced his Hall of Fame credentials by climbing into 20th place on the all-time strikeout list (the only pitchers ahead of him who are eligible for the Hall and have yet to reach Cooperstown are Bert Blyleven, Mickey Lolich, and Frank
Tanana). Martinez surpassed Chuck Finley, his eight strikeouts lifting his career total to 2,614.
Even lacking his best stuff, Martinez limited the Tigers to one run on four hits, two walks, and a pair of hit batsmen over seven innings as he submitted his 19th quality start in 27 outings and improved to 14-5 with a 3.69 ERA. Nasty as ever under pressure, Martinez surrendered only one hit
(an RBI double by Craig Monroe) with runners on base and allowed only one Tiger to reach third (Dmitri Young touched the bag before scoring on Monroe's double). Martinez credited Lowe in part for his smooth outing.
Never mind that the Sox went a third straight game without a home run for the first time this season. Even with Ramirez idled by a contusion on his left knee, they produced more than enough support for Martinez as Mark Bellhorn led the way with a pair of RBIs. Bellhorn's double in the
seventh was the first of three straight run- producing hits as Damon followed with an RBI double and Ortiz with a run-scoring single. Damon, who helped Martinez by gunning down Omar Infante trying to stretch a single leading off the game, had an additional reason to smile as he scored his
league-leading 100th run. It marked the seventh straight season Damon has scored 100 or more runs.
The three-run seventh for the Sox broke open a 2-1 game after Dave Roberts and Bellhorn each drove in a run in the fifth. Bill Mueller, who went 3 for 3 with a walk in returning from a sore right foot and ankle, scored in each of the rallies.
After Martinez's 103-pitch effort, Alan Embree retired the Tigers in order in the eighth and Ramiro Mendoza finished things off by pitching a scoreless ninth.
A contusion of Ramirez's left knee was serious enough to force him out of action. Ramirez spent much of the day receiving treatment, as did closer Keith Foulke, who was coping with a stiff back. X-rays on Ramirez Friday were negative, and the medical staff saw no reason to perform
additional tests, according to Francona. |
