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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME LOG
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- In his worst outing of the year, Pedro
Martinez never looked better.
After allowing six runs in the first two innings, Boston's
reigning Cy Young winner faced the minimum over his final six
frames and the Red Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 9-7 in 10
innings Thursday night.
"Those last six innings were tremendous," Boston manager Jimy
Williams said. "He could have bagged it, whatever. But not him. To
me, that was really impressive."
Rico Brogna's RBI single in the 10th highlighted a three-run
inning and gave Boston the win.
Martinez allowed five runs and six hits in the first inning,
something he hadn't done since 1995.
But after Mike Sweeney's home run with two outs in the second,
he retired 18 of the next 19 batters, allowing only a single in the
fourth to Rey Sanchez, who was erased on a double play. Martinez
was relieved by Hipolito Pichardo (5-2) starting the ninth.
"He can give up runs just like anybody else," Williams said.
"But those last six innings were really something. Those were special."
Martinez said he adjusted "only a little" after the second
inning. "They faced me like there was no tomorrow," he said. "I just
have to tip my hat and say, 'Hey, they battled.' They tried to beat
me and I'm glad they didn't."
Martinez gave up a season-high eight hits and six runs in eight
innings, with six strikeouts. The six earned runs were the most he
had allowed since giving up seven to Florida on July 19, 1999. His
major league-leading ERA rose from 1.53 to 1.77.
"I just kind of poised myself and waited for the time to get
better," Martinez said. "I kept throwing the ball the same way,
tried to improve my location. There's nothing you can do but make
your pitch and hope you get the result you want."
While Martinez walked no one, Royals starter Mac Suzuki issued
seven free passes. "The big difference was Pedro didn't have his best stuff,
especially early," Royals manager Tony Muser said. "But he didn't
walk anybody. Great pitchers find ways to win. One way is to not
walk people. He kept throwing strikes and he kept changing speeds."
Andy Larkin (0-3) walked Manny Alexander with one out in the
10th. Alexander stole second and with two outs, Trot Nixon was
intentionally walked. Brogna followed with an RBI single, Carl
Everett had a run-scoring double and Lou Merloni had an RBI infield single.
Derek Lowe allowed an RBI single to Sweeney in the 10th before
getting his 30th save.
Boston moved a half-game ahead of Cleveland in the AL wild-card
race and stayed three games behind the Yankees in the AL East.
Kansas City lost its fifth straight game.
The Royals had four singles and two doubles while scoring five
runs against Martinez in the improbable opening frame.
The five earned runs in the first inning were more than anyone
had managed against Martinez in an entire game this year. The six
hits were just one short of his high in a game all season. In 22 previous starts this season Martinez had allowed only four
runs in the first inning. He had not given up five runs in a first
inning since June 20, 1995, when he was with Montreal and allowed
five to Houston.
Down 5-0 after one, the Red Sox needed only three innings to
catch up against Suzuki and reliever Jerry Spradlin. Suzuki lasted
three-plus innings and gave up five runs and five hits with his
seven walks. Four of the walks scored.
Johnny Damon and Rey Sanchez singled to open the game for the
Royals. Jermaine Dye and Joe Randa hit RBI singles with one out,
and the crowd got into it when Mark Quinn's double made it 3-0.
After Todd Dunwoody struck out, Gregg Zaun hit a two-run double
to give the Royals a 5-0 lead. But Jason Varitek walked with one out in the second and scored on
Manny Alexander's double for Boston.
In the third, Boston's Brian Daubach had a two-run homer and another run
scored on Merloni's double-play grounder. Jose Offerman had an RBI
single and Carl Everett added a run-scoring groundout in the fourth.
Game notes
Toronto scored five runs against Martinez on June 25, but
only four were earned. ... SS Nomar Garciaparra was held out of
Boston's lineup a second straight day with a sore left hamstring.
He was available for pinch-hitting. ... Suzuki's ERA went from 3.78
to 4.00. ... In their last three games, the Royals have squandered
leads of 5-2, 8-2 and 6-1.
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RECAPS
NY Yankees 8
Texas 7
Detroit 10
Seattle 3
Baltimore 8
Chi. White Sox 5
Oakland 11
Cleveland 7
Boston 9
Kansas City 7
Cincinnati 8
Philadelphia 3
Los Angeles 7
Montreal 0
St. Louis 12
Atlanta 5
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