10:16 AM EST on Wednesday, March 24, 2004

BY SEAN McADAM
Journal Sports Writer

AP photo Derek Lowe piches to Rocco Baldelli of the Devil Rays in a spring-training matchup yesterday.

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Spring training isn't always an indication of what's to come in the regular season. But history has shown there's a connection for Derek Lowe, and the Red Sox are hoping this year is no different.

Lowe sparkled yesterday, tossing six shutout innings against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays while allowing just three hits. In five starts this spring, Lowe's E.R.A. is 0.98.

"Two years ago, I had a similar spring training," recallled Lowe after the Sox had beaten Tampa, 7-4.

That season, Lowe had a career year, winning 21 games. Last year, after having his off-season interrupted by the discovery of skin cancer, he wasn't able to prepare as he would have liked.

Predictably he ended up with a 5.85 E.R.A., then followed that with an inconsistent season that netted 17 wins but also saw his E.R.A. jump almost two runs over the previous season.

"Missing that month (of work before spring training) killed me," Lowe said. "In spring training, the more you go out there and have success, the more confident you become. On the flip side, I didn't have a lot of confidence going into last year."

With two more starts before he pitches the third game of the season in Baltimore on April 7, Lowe is brimming with confidence. His signature sinker is inducing ground ball outs -- 10 in six innings yesterday -- and his curve ball has been sharp.

He was so efficient yesterday that he needed just 70 pitches to get through his six innings of work. He could have pitched another, but the Sox wanted to get two innings of work out of Keith Foulke and another from Mike Timlin.

"Coming in," he said, "I wanted to have a good spring training. Now, I just want to keep getting better."

Pedro talks continue

The Sox met with agent Fern Cuza, who represents Pedro Martinez. Martinez is in the final year of his contract and the two sides are attempting to work on a contract extension.

General manager Theo Epstein said the two sides enjoyed a "good and productive," session but wouldn't characterize the talks at this stage or say whether another meeting is scheduled.

"We're trying to work together to address issues which hopefully lead to a good resolution," Epstein said. "Beyond that, we don't want to say anything else."

Kapler impresses

Making his third appearance of the spring at third base, Gabe Kapler made a number of standout plays at the position, including a backhanded stab that was worthy of the highlight reel.

"He looked really comfortable over there," said manager Terry Francona. "Dale [Sveum, third-base coach] has been working with him there. It's nice he can go over there and not make you hold your breath."

"Rather than thinking too much about ground balls, I'm just reacting on instinct and athleticism," Kapler said. "I'm feeling more and more comfortable every time I go out there, but I don't feel any kind of urgency to make anything happen. This is for emergency purposes only. If, at some point in the season, something happens to somebody, maybe I can go in and give them a couple of days and help the team."

Meanwhile, starting third baseman Bill Mueller, who is nursing a hyperextension of the right elbow, was held out of the lineup for another day as a precaution. He's expected to be back at third tonight against the Yankees.

Here and there

The game was delayed for almost 10 minutes when a young girl seated behind the home dugout was struck in the face after Tampa infielder Rey Sanchez lost control of his bat. She was taken to a local hospital for treatment. . . . Ramiro Mendoza, whose Grapefruit League debut was delayed Monday when he accidently sliced his finger, will make the trip to Tampa tonight and could pitch against the Yankees, his former team. . . . Francona said shortstop Nomar Garciaparra (heel) is progressing, but added: "I'll feel a lot more comfortable when he's out there doing his thing." . . . Ellis Burks had his first homer of the spring -- a three-run shot in the fifth -- to go along with an RBI-single in the first. . . . Keith Foulke was sharp in two innings of relief work, allowing just one baserunner.