BOSTON -- Pedro Martinez owns the Cleveland Indians.
Well, he really doesn't own them but throughout his career he has always pitched well against them. He is 8-1 against the Tribe and has a good history against the club.
Most remember his appearance against them in the 1999 playoffs when he tossed six perfect innings in relief and helped the Sox to a dramatic victory.
He continues to dominate the Indians and he did it here again last night. He worked seven complete innings while surrendering four runs on five hits. He walked none and struck out nine to become the eighth active pitcher to record 2,100 Ks.
The elements were just right for the hard-throwing right-hander. Game-time temperature reached 88 degrees and his fastball almost double that. His velocity increased as the game progressed but he had to settle down after a shaky start. He didn't reach the high 90s with his fastball but had command of all his pitches.
"You go out there and you perform better against some teams rather then the others," Martinez said. "Some teams, you just have their number."
The Indians went 5-for-26 off him and he left only two runners on base. Martinez was changing speeds and kept the ball down. When he did throw an off-speed pitch, batters were chasing it.
Of the five hits, three were home runs. Martinez surrendered a two-run homer to Ellis Burks in the first and solo homers to Jim Thome and Ben Broussard in the fourth and fifth innings.
"I thought Pedro was good," Boston manager Grady Little said. "You know, he gave up a few home runs here at Fenway Park, with the wind blowing out. But that's going to happen. But he gave them up to some good hitters."
Martinez threw two cut fastballs to Burks and Thome and left a fastball up to Broussard.
"I didn't expect us to hit three home runs," Cleveland manager Charlie Manuel said. "We got the lead there, 4-0, and with the way (Ryan) Drese was pitching, I thought we had a good shot. But they put together the big inning and got us. Pedro, like always, stayed around long enough to get the win."
But even though he gave up three home runs and fell behind 4-0 early, his offense bailed him out. A six-run fifth inning paved the way to his ninth victory.
But it wasn't only the offense that contributed. Red Sox outfielder Johnny Damon made three spectacular catches in center.
"Johnny Damon is without a doubt is as important as any of us on the team," said Martinez. "Johnny has been the pump on this team. The heart of this team and his defense has been great. Today he showed it again that he can cover a lot of ground. I feel confident to let the opposition hit the ball."
The first grab Damon made came in the third inning with two outs. Jolbert Cabrera drove the ball to right-center and at first it seemed no way would Damon be able to catch up with it. But he reached out on the run to make the third out.
"I had my doubts," Martinez said about Damon making the catch. "But knowing how fast he is out there I could only hope because he hit the ball well."
For Martinez the more important thing was the victory. He said it didn't matter that he pitched well or that he gave up three home runs. The team needed a victory and he helped produce one.
"I was really concerned about getting this win for the team and giving them a good chance to get a ball game," Martinez said. "And even though I didn't look as sharp as I might have wanted to look, it was an important win for the team. I was important to just cut (the losing skid) right there and then start over again tomorrow."
