BOSTON -- Five times this season, the Red Sox have had two-game losing streaks. Four times, like some on-call emergency mound technician, Pedro Martinez has succeeded in putting a quick end to them.
Last night, almost as a bonus, Martinez beat the New York Yankees in the process.
"This was a big game for us because we had lost two in a row," said Martinez, who limited the Yankees to one run over seven innings in the Red Sox' 3-1 victory. "I always believe it's my responsibility to pick up the team and not let the streak get too long. I'm very proud of it."
The win also boosted the Sox' lead over the Yankees to two games in the American League East. The Sox have taken four of the first five head-to-head meetings with their archrivals, and by taking the opener of the four-game series, helped seize some momentum.
"The more we get ahead of these guys," said Martinez, "the better it is for us. It's easier to play the games, and the more we can relax."
Martinez struck out 10 and walked two while yielding just four hits in earning his first win over the Yankees since last May 30, nearly a year ago. He faced two batters over the minimum through the first five innings and struck out six of seven batters in one span before the Yankees nicked him for their only run of the night, in the sixth.
Nick Johnson led off with a single, went to third on Derek Jeter's single to right and rode home on Bernie Williams's fielder's choice.
Martinez notched two more strikeouts in the seventh before exiting with his pitch count at 104.
The performance was quite a contrast to Martinez's start against the Yankees earlier this year, when he gave up five runs -- including four in the first inning -- over 51/3 innings.
After earning just one win in his first three starts, Martinez now has recorded victories in all except one of his last seven outings.
"We picked him up early in the season," said catcher Jason Varitek. "Now, he's picked us up when we've needed it."
"Not even close," said Martinez when asked to compare his stuff last night to what he took to the mound on April 13. "There was such a big difference. All the time (in April), I was hurting. I wasn't getting my pitches over."
That was hardly the case last night. Martinez struck out the side in the second, then added two more in the third and another two in the fourth. Last night marked the 54th time he reached double figures in strikeouts since joining the Red Sox. At 7-0, Martinez is off to his best start with the Sox since 1997, his first season in Boston.
"I think he's as good as he's ever been," said New York manager Joe Torre. "It's tough to hit against him without a plan. He has so many weapons, you have to give something up. You can't hit against him unless you're patient."
"He looked as good as he was in the past, when he was unhittable," agreed Jason Giambi, who fanned twice in three plate appearances.
The Sox gave Martinez an early lead against Ted Lilly (1-4) when Johnny Damon doubled to left in the first inning and, with two out, Nomar Garciaparra stroked a double of his own, his 17th of the season.
"You get that first run (with Martinez on the mound) and you know that could be enough," said Varitek. "Then, every one after that is just a bonus."
Just to be sure, the Red Sox tacked on two more in the fifth. After Jose Offerman had doubled to center, he took third on Tony Clark's fly ball to right and scored when Trot Nixon flied to left.
"To me," said Grady Little, "that was the difference in the game. The inning prior to that, (the Yankees) led off with a double and (Robin) Ventura tried his best to move the runner. His fly ball just didn't get quite as deep as Clark's did to move the runner to third base. To me, that was the difference in the game. And Trot was able to get the ball in the outfield just deep enough to score Offie."
A two-out double by Rey Sanchez and a slashing single to right by venerable Rickey Henderson produced the second run of the inning.
Sufficiently backed by his offense, Martinez turned the game over to the bullpen, the hard work already having been done and another losing streak stopped dead in its tracks.
"Those are things I'm really aware of," said Martinez. "Believe it or not, every time we play the game, as goofy as I might look out there, I'm looking at those things. And those are the things that really catch my attention. I try to cut if off before it runs, before it stretches."
