The game against Louisville is halted in the fourth inning with Pawtucket leading, 3-0, and will be resumed tonight as part of a shortened doubleheader.

01:00 AM EDT on Wednesday, April 13, 2005

BY DAN HICKLING
Journal Sports Writer

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Weather put a damper on the Pawtucket Red Sox' quest for their first victory of the season last night as the contest between the PawSox and the Louisville Bats was halted because of rain in the bottom of the fourth inning.

The game will be resumed tonight (6:05) as part of a shortened doubleheader with the PawSox leading, 3-0. The teams will follow with a seven-inning nightcap.

Pawtucket, which has started the season 0-5, took the lead on a three-run homer in the second by Chip Ambres, who sent a knuckleball from former PawSox hurler Jared Fernandez over the left-field fence.

PawSox starter Tim Kester, who filled in at the last minute for the flu-ridden Chris Narveson, allowed just one hit over three-plus innings. He walked Edwin Encarnacion to lead off the fourth, and then the rain came.

After a 60-minute wait, the game was halted.

PawSox manager Ron Johnson said he was leaning toward Denney Tomori (0-1, 54.00 E.R.A.) to take over for Kester in the first game, with Abe Alvarez (0-0, 11.25) to pitch the nightcap. Fernandez (1-0, 1.50) will resume his stint on the mound for Louisville, with Tom Shearn (1-0, 0.00) to follow in the nightcap.

Three PawSox -- pitchers Abe Alvarez, Mark Malaska and Lenny DiNardo -- all rejoined the club after traveling to Boston for Monday's World Series ring ceremony.

For DiNardo, such fetes have become rather commonplace. He also collected two minor-league championship rings in his first three pro seasons.

But receiving a big-league ring was a special thrill for him.

"I felt undeserving in a way," said DiNardo, who appeared in 22 games for last year's champs, "but very privileged in the same (breath). It was an incredible thing to be a part of, and I honestly had tears in my eyes."

DiNardo said the enormity of the World Series win didn't sink in at first, but since then he's relived the moment many times. Particularly on Monday.

"It didn't hit me for a while," he said, "that we had actually won it. But (Monday), all the emotions came back to me. In my first (big-league) year I got one, but I'd like to get a few more under my belt."

Among the holdovers from last year's mound corps is versatile right-hander Scott Cassidy. Cassidy, who came over from the Blue Jays organization, has proven himself adept as both a reliever and a starter.

It was in the latter role that the Liverpool, N.Y., native proved himself invaluable to the PawSox. He stepped into the rotation when John Stephens left to play for the Australian Olympic team and won some key games to help the PawSox stay in last season's pennant race.

He wound up leading the club in E.R.A. (3.46) while posting a 5-3 record.

"He's a valuable piece (of the puzzle)," said PawSox pitching coach Mike Griffin, "because he can start and relieve. He's got three quality pitches, and he gets a lot of ground-ball outs and some strikeouts with his slider."

Recognizing his value, the Red Sox invited Cassidy to spring training.

"I had a pretty decent spring training, and I'm hoping I can put up some pretty good numbers, and hopefully down the road get a call-up and help the team up in Boston. That's basically my goal for this season."

Cassidy, who currently is in a set-up role, said being with the Red Sox from the beginning of the season has been a big plus.

"It's definitely easier," he said. "I know the system, and I know a lot of the guys already. That makes it an easier transition, rather than getting traded over. I thought (Boston) was a first-class organization after I came here last year, and that's why I signed back with them. They treated me well, they were honest with me. Hopefully, I'll have a shot."

Griffin said he's looking forward to having Cassidy under his tutelage for the entire season.

"You kind of let him do his thing," Griffin said, "but we've been talking about using his changeup more. Hopefully, he'll gain even more confidence in that. I'm looking for big things from Cass."