ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- After first deciding that they would have 11 pitchers on their 25-man, post-season roster, the Red Sox have switched gears and are now leaning toward a 10-man staff for the Division Series.
The Sox don't have to submit their roster until Wednesday morning, but have decided that 10 pitchers will probably suffice for a five-game series over the span of six days.
Trimming the staff may mean a number of pitchers who were in contention for the 11th spot will now be left off the roster entirely. Among those thought to be on the bubble: Bronson Arroyo, Todd Jones and Brandon Lyon.
Garciaparra hit by pitch
Shortstop Nomar Garciaparra left the game after being struck just above the left elbow by a pitch from Tampa Bay starter Jeremi Gonzalez in the third inning.
Garciaparra took first, but only after glaring at Gonzalez on his way down the baseline. It marked the third time in the last 10 games that Garciaparra was struck by a pitch.
He was replaced at short by Damian Jackson, who committed another error in the fifth inning, his fourth in the last two games.
Garciaparra said after the game that he was fine and expected to start tonight.
Game plan includes rest
Manager Grady Little plans to give plenty of rest to the regulars in the final series.
Last night's lineup included just four of the usual starters -- second baseman Todd Walker, shortstop Garciaparra, catcher Jason Varitek and Manny Ramirez, who was the DH instead of playing left field.
Little said no regular would be given two days off in a row.
Nixon hopeful for tomorrow
Outfielder Trot Nixon reported much improvement in his left calf pull and is now hopeful to play tomorrow, if only as a DH in anticipation of returning to the lineup when the playoffs start Wednesday.
Pooh-poohing party poopers
The Sox were irked by the suggestion that their post-game celebration was too over-the-top for a team which had clinched a wild-card spot.
"That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard," said Little. "I think the boys deserved that. It's a long haul between first of February and (the end of the season). It's a celebratrion of our accomplishments. A lot of guys had never been in that position before. It's special."
Little ascribed the talk as "probably from someone that's never been in that situation before. Or didn't want the Red Sox to be (in the post-season)."
Pairing Mirabelli, Wakefield
Little said catcher Doug Mirabelli would catch Tim Wakefield's post-season starts. However, he added that if Wakefield were to be used in relief in a game in which Jason Varitek started, Little would stay with Varitek behind the plate.
Legion ticket info
The Red Sox announced that tickets for American League Championship Series games that could be played at Fenway Park will go on sale at 6 p.m. Monday.
ALCS Game 3 would be played at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 11; Game 4 would be played at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 12; and Game 5 (if necessary) would be played at 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 13.
Tickets will be sold exclusively via the telephone and Internet. Approximately 18,000 tickets will be available by calling touchtone ticketing at (617) 482-4SOX or on the club's official Web site -- www.redsox.com. Tickets will not be available for sale at Fenway Park.
Ticket prices, set by Major League Baseball, are $110 for box seats; $80 for grandstand seats; and $50 for bleachers and standing room. Fans may purchase up to 4 tickets for one game per transaction.
Rocco best AL rookie
Rocco Baldelli was selected as the winner of the Ted Williams Rookie Award for the 2003 American League season. The announcement was made by the Board of Directors of the Ted Williams Museum and Hitters Hall of Fame . . . . . . Casey Fossum's season is officially over. Battling shoulder tendinitis and unavailable to pitch, he remained home in Boston and didn't accompany the club here.
