01:00 AM EDT on Friday, April 30, 2004

BY STEVEN KRASNER
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON -- The bleacher area in center field, which generally is closed and covered with a black tarp to provide the hitters with a good view of the ball out of the pitcher's hand, was opened for the day game.

But, because yesterday's game was a makeup of a game rained out Tuesday night, for which the seats already had been sold, the fans sitting in those seats were given green T-shirts to wear so it would remain a decent hitter's background. They also were asked not to leave their seats during the action so they wouldn't distract the hitters.

The area of the park is known as Conig's Corner, for Tony Conigliaro, who, after returning in 1969 from his 1967 eye injury, said he had trouble seeing the ball from that area during day games. Conigliaro was traded in 1970, and the seats were available from 1971 to 1997, when hitters again complained.

Yesterday was the first time since 1997 that fans were allowed to sit in those seats, which sell now for $20. The attendance of 35,614 was the largest crowd at Fenway Park since 35,735 fans showed up for a Sept. 28, 1990, game against Toronto.

Reviews of the background were mixed. Brian Daubach and Mark Bellhorn said it didn't bother them. Bill Mueller, though, wasn't a supporter of the concept.

"I'm glad they were wearing green, but I would hope they'd keep the tarp," said Mueller.

Nomar on the move

Nomar Garciaparra (right Achilles) did some running and light cutting in the outfield, and then fielded ground balls for about 20 minutes between games. Coach Dale Sveum hit grounders to the all-star shortstop, mostly right at him but some a step or so to Garciaparra's left. He made throws to first base and flips to second. At this stage of his rehabilitation, the Sox don't want Garciaparra fielding balls to his right, which would force him to plant his right foot and push off to throw.

Before the workout, Garciaparra said he was coming along slowly. While no timetable has been set, he'll have to be out at least two more weeks.

Seibel goes to Portland

Phil Seibel was optioned to Double A Portland after Wednesday night's game to make room for yesterday's starter, Byung-Hyun Kim, who was activated from the disabled list for the outing.

Seibel had been promoted from Pawtucket, the Sox' Triple A team, on April 15. But the left-hander was sent to Double A so he could make a start last night for Portland, to get in some innings. Seibel pitched only twice for Boston, the last time on April 18. Seibel, who did not allow an earned run in 3 2/3 innings in his first taste of the big leagues, is expected to rejoin Pawtucket soon.

Call doesn't stand

Tampa Bay's Tino Martinez ripped a line drive to right field in the second inning of the first game, forcing Jose Cruz Jr., running from first base, to duck. Cruz crawled a few feet before getting to his feet and making it to second base.

Boston manager Terry Francona jumped out of the dugout and began arguing with first-base umpire Matt Hollowell, who ruled the ball had not hit Cruz. By then, though, plate umpire Jim Joyce was calling to get Francona's attention. He saw the ball graze Cruz's jersey. As a result, he called Cruz out. Martinez was credited with a single, with Daubach getting credit for the putout.

Up and down day

Popular Brian Daubach, recalled from Pawtucket on Tuesday, had an interesting day in his first start of the season for Boston in the opener.

Daubach, who had had two pinch-hitting appearances for the Sox before being designated for assignment on April 10, started at first base. Carl Crawford hit a leadoff chopper to Daubach's right, but the ball got past him for an error.

In the sixth, after fielding a bouncer by Rocco Baldelli, Daubach stepped on the bag. Geoff Blum, running from first base, was a dead duck on his way to second for what should have been a double play. Daubach, though, threw wildly, allowing Blum to reach second safely. Technically, it was not an error, however, because the rulebook states you can't assume a double play.

Daubach made more positive noise in the bottom of the inning, lacing his first hit of the year, a double to right-center. He alertly tagged on Kevin Millar's fly ball to center and scored on Mark Bellhorn's sacrifice fly, also to center.

Daubach was replaced by David McCarty for defensive purposes in the seventh.

Around the horn

Cesar Crespo, starting at shortstop for Pokey Reese (flu) in the first game, went 2 for 4, notching his second multiple-hit game of the year . . . Johnny Damon grounded into his first double play in 71 at-bats . . . Manny Ramirez, who had whiffed feebly his first three times up against starter Victor Zambrano, including once with the bases filled and one out, was given an intentional walk from lefty John Halama to load the bases in the seventh . . . Doug Mirabelli fanned his first three times up, looked worse with each at-bat. But the backup catcher ripped a double to left-center in his fourth at-bat . . . The Red Sox Foundation donated $50,000 to the Teen Center at the Dimock Community Health Center in Roxbury.

Trot Nixon (herniated back disk), playing in his second extended-spring game, went 0 for 4 in five innings yesterday . . . David Ortiz had his streak of consecutive games with at least one extra-base hit snapped at nine in the nightcap. He did have a run-scoring single, however . . . Pokey Reese, who had missed the previous two games because of the flu, went 2 for 4 in last nighyt's game. It was his third multiple-hit game of the year . . . Right fielder Gabe Kapler robbed Rhode Island's Rocco Baldelli of a hit with a diving, sliding catch of a sizzling liner in the third inning of the second game . . . Tampa Bay's Jose Cruz Jr. is in an 0-for-33 drought after going 0 for 5 in the doubleheader . . . Derek Lowe improved to 8-2 with 10 saves and a 2.21 E.R.A. against the Devil Rays in his career, including a no-hitter in 2002 . . . The Sox' bullpen scoreless streak of 32 1/3 innings is the longest such streak since the St. Louis Cardinals' 'pen went 34 innings without allowing a run in 2002.

Gone but not forgotten

Yesterday marked the 18th anniversary of Roger Clemens' first 20-strikeout game, against the Seattle Mariners at Fenway Park. A tribute on the message board during the opener was accompanied by the Elton John song, "Rocketman."