| | BOSTON -- Ramon Martinez wasn't unhittable, as his brother so often is.
He didn't strike out a dozen batters or turn the ball over to
the closer or even pick up a win, like Pedro did more than anybody
else in baseball this season.
But Ramon Martinez helped the Boston Red Sox in a way his little
brother couldn't in their first-round playoff series against the
Cleveland Indians: He helped them win.
"It was a pretty big lift," said Red Sox shortstop John
Valentin, who had a homer a two-run double as Boston avoided a
three-game sweep with a 9-3 victory over Cleveland.
"He hasn't pitched a whole lot this year. He's been hurt, coming off surgery. They decided to use him in the playoffs and he pitched very big. I mean, he gave us a chance to win."
A 20-game winner himself before a torn rotator cuff knocked him out for 15 months, the elder Martinez allowed two runs on five hits and three walks, striking out six. He left with two out in the
sixth with the game tied at 2, tipping his cap in response to a hearty cheer from the crowd.
His teammates were just as appreciative.
"When somebody goes down," we seem to have somebody ready to
step in," outfielder Darren Lewis said.
Pedro Martinez was baseball's best pitcher this season,
compiling a 23-4 record and 2.07 ERA with 313 strikeouts to win the
AL's triple crown of pitching. Heading into the playoffs, the Red
Sox were considered a dangerous team only because Pedro was
expected to win two games in a five-game series, and they only
needed three.
But the younger Martinez couldn't win it for Boston in Game 1,
leaving after four innings with a sprained back muscle. The Red Sox
went on to lose 3-2 in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Although the condition of Pedro's back has been a concern, it
won't really matter unless the team could stretch the series to
five games. And, after losing Game 2 to teeter on the brink of
elimination, it didn't look like it would matter at all.
Now, thanks to his brother, there's a chance the Red Sox will need Pedro to start Game 5.
"I'll keep testing it. I'll try to play catch every day," the
younger Martinez said. "It's sore right now and we're working on
it."
Pedro Martinez had to abort a throwing session short before
Saturday's game, throwing the ball just a dozen times before
trainer Rich Zawacki told him to cut it off.
"I know it's going to take a little longer," Pedro said. "If
you guys want me to throw in the 90s right now, I actually can't. I
don't know (if I will) by game time."
Ramon Martinez went 20-6 with a 2.92 ERA for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1990 to establish himself as one of the game's top pitchers. But he tore his rotator cuff in 1997 and again last year
after starting out with a 7-2 record and 2.83 ERA.
The Red Sox signed him in the offseason with an eye towards next year. But he was ready to pitch again in midsummer, making 10 rehabilitation starts in the minors before coming to Boston on Sept. 2.
Although he wasn't expected to make the postseason roster, he
was pressed into duty when Pat Rapp left to help his wife through a difficult pregnancy. And Martinez responded with a strong outing
that earned him two more starts and a spot in the playoff rotation.
"I got a chance and I was getting better and better. I got this
chance to prove I can pitch, and here I am," he said. "Once there
is a chance, you take advantage of it."
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