Expect Sauerback on playoff roster
CLEVELAND -- Given their momentous relief struggles, the Red Sox are almost certain to go with an 11-man pitching staff in the first round of the postseason.
, despite a horrid two months with the Sox (7.24 E.R.A., 15 hits allowed and 15 walks in 13 2/3 innings), is expected to be part of the staff, if only to give the Sox two left-handed options in the bullpen. Alan Embree will be the other.
Presumably, all five members of the starting rotation -- Pedro Martinez, Derek Lowe, Tim Wakefield, John Burkett and Jeff Suppan -- will be on the roster, along with Sauerbeck, Embree, Byung-Hyun Kim, Mike Timlin and Scott Williamson . The 11th pitcher likely will be chosen from among Todd Jones, Brandon Lyon and Bronson Arroyo. Of the 14 position players, 13 spots are thought to be decided -- catchers Of the 14 position players, 13 spots are thought to be decided -- catchers Jason Varitek and Doug Mirabelli , first baseman Kevin Millar and David Ortiz , second baseman Todd Walker , shortstop Nomar Garciaparra , third baseman Bill Mueller , backup infielders Damian Jackson and Lou Merloni , and outfielders Manny Ramirez, Johnny Damon, Trot Nixon and Gabe Kapler . That leaves one spot for one of two first baseman/outfielders: right-handed hitting David McCarty or left-handed hitting Andy Abad . The Sox expect to be able to get a roster exemption for Abad, who was promoted from Pawtucket after the Aug. 31 deadline for postseason eligibility.
Milestones for Martinez
Martinez reached a number of statistical milestones with the win yesterday.
Striking out 11, he strengthed his grip on the American League strikeout lead and reached the 200-strikeout level for the seventh time in his career.
He also had a double-digit strikeout game for the sixth time this season, the 66th time with the Red Sox, and the 93rd time in his career.
he lowered his road E.R.A. to 1.61, best in the American League.
Garciaparra hit in ribs
Garciaparra came out of the game in the bottom of the ninth after being hit in the ribs by a 95-mph fastball from Danys Baez in the top of the eighth. Jackson played short.
"Some of us have some fat or protection in that area," cracked manager Grady Little . "He doesn't."
Little likes new batting order
Garciaparra batted second in the order again, and Little says he might stay with the new lineup to break up the team's lefty hitters and make it tougher for opposing teams to bring in left-handed specialists in the late innings.
Damon, Mueller back in action
Both Damon (abdominal pull) and Mueller (back spasms) returned to the lineup yesterday. Damon was hitless in four plate appearaances, but had no trouble in the outfield, making four putouts. Mueller, in contention for the A.L. batting title, was 0-for-3 and did not have an assist or a putout at third. He had been sidelined since leaving Thursday's game against Tampa Bay. Damon hadn't played since Tuesday.
Scouting staff to grow
The Red Sox are in the process of hiring an adminstrator for their overseas amateur scouting division.
Scouting director David Chadd has an agreement with principal owner John Henry , for whom he worked when Henry owned the Florida Marlins, that he can continue to live in Omaha. But the Sox want someone in their Fenway Park offices to coordinate efforts there.
An adminstrator will be in the place in the next two weeks.
Here and there
The Sox have signed right-handed pitcher Chris Spigner, 23, from Richmond of the Independent Pioneer League, where he was recently named Pitcher of the Year. Spigner went undrafted out of the University of South Carolina. He pitched in the College World Series two years ago. He'll report to spring training with an eye toward starting out in Single A . . . Ramirez drove in his 100th run with a double in the fourth inning. He has driven in 100 or more runs in six consecutive seasons, and eight times in his career . . . The Sox are 6-1 in their last seven road series.
