THE "IDIOTS" REVERSE THE CURSE

May 17, 2004 ... No game scheduled ... The Red Sox are on pace to log 149 errors - 11 more than the Tigers committed last year in falling one loss shy of catching the 1962 Mets (120) - as they chase their first world championship in 86 years.

Keith Foulke, who anchors a bullpen that leads the majors with a 2.74 ERA, has not allowed a run in 12 innings over his last 11 appearances. Opponents have hit .079 (3 for 38) against him over that stretch, and he has struck out 12 of the last 23 batters he has faced since April 29. Foulke, Scott Williamson, and Lenny DiNardo have yet to allow a home run this season. The Sox pen has allowed only six homers in 108 1/3 innings. By comparison, Martinez has surrendered seven homers in 57 2/3 innings and Schilling has yielded five in 56 1/3 innings.

David Ortiz leads the league in doubles (15) and extra-base hits (25), and he has as many doubles as he does singles (15). He has 10 homers and needs one more for the 100th of his career. Of Ortiz's last 13 hits, 10 have been for extra bases (five homers and five doubles).

Ellis Burks has taken batting practice four straight days as he comes back from arthroscopic surgery April 26 on his left knee.