01:00 AM EDT on Wednesday, April 28, 2004

BY JOE McDONALD
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON -- Brian Daubach knew it was just a matter of time before he would return to Fenway Park.

The call came yesterday, one day after Ellis Burks was placed on the disabled list with a medial meniscus tear in his left knee.

Daubach, whose contract was purchase from Pawtucket, was one of the first players at the field yesterday and took extra batting practices in the cage under the center-field stands.

"We weren't real happy about it when we had to (send him down)," said Boston manager Terry Francona. "We got into a bind (with numbers) and to his credit he goes down and did exactly what he was supposed to. And 17 days later he's back, so good for him. I'm not happy with the reason why he's back because of Ellis, but Dauber will help us."

Daubach is expected to play first base tonight and Francona admitted he'd pencil him into the lineup a lot more this time around as a first baseman and designated hitter. He was a member of Boston's Opening Day roster and played two games before he was designated for assignment on April 10. He cleared waivers and accepted his assignment when he could have bolted for another organization.

"It's unfortunate Ellis got hurt," said Daubach. "But I'm glad to be back."

When he was sent down he admitted it was disappointing. But, he made his time in Pawtucket productive. In 10 games, he hit .350 with 13 runs scored, 5 home runs and 11 RBI.

During his time in Pawtucket, he spent the majority of his time taking soft tosses from PawSox manager Buddy Bailey rather than batting practices. Bailey was going to give Daubach the night off last April 19, but the free-swinging first baseman/designated hitter had other thoughts. He felt he was swinging the bat efficiently and didn't want to chance having a game off, so he asked the Pawtucket skipper to be penciled into the lineup. He finished that game with two home runs, including a walk-off shot in the bottom of the ninth inning in a 3-2 victory over Rochester.

"I went down and did what I had to do," said Daubach. "I just tried to be the best player and teammate I could be and when the call came I was ready to come back."

The last time he spent time in the minors was five years ago when he had a nine-game stint in Pawtucket. He spent the next five years in the majors.

"In baseball, you just have to keep plugging until forever," said Daubach. "Especially for a guy like myself, who has been labeled as not-an-everyday player in the big leagues. You have to do what you need to do and prove everybody wrong."

His assignment to Pawtucket this time was a result of the numbers game. The Sox' pitching staff was overworked due to a a couple of extra-inning games. So Boston needed another arm and Frank Castillo was recalled. In return, the organization was forced to send Daubach to Pawtucket.

"It was nice to go down there and play 10 days in a row," he said. "I'm swinging the bat really well right now, so if I can get in (the lineup) I think it will carry over up here. We all know when I get hot, it doesn't matter who's pitching."