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Thursday, Aug. 24 8:05pm ET
Martinez gives up five runs in first | |||||
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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 notesToronto 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. | ALSO SEE Baseball Scoreboard Boston Clubhouse Kansas City Clubhouse RECAPS NY Yankees 8 Texas 7
Boston 9
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