01:00 AM EDT on Wednesday, May 26, 2004

BY STEVEN KRASNER
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON -- Bill Mueller's impending arthroscopic right knee surgery, which sent the 33-year-old third baseman to the disabled list yesterday, retroactive to May 20, paved the way for Andy Dominique's first trip to the big leagues.

Dominique, 28, was called up from Pawtucket to take Mueller's spot on the roster. But Dominique didn't know if he'd be asked to Fenway Park to don a Boston Red Sox uniform until a late afternoon pow wow featuring Mueller, various medical staff and team officials.

"I was sitting in my hotel room all day," said Dominique, who was summoned from Pawtucket after Monday night's game at McCoy Stadium.

"I wanted it to happen so bad. But the wait was worth it when they called. It's unbelievable. It's an opportunity I have dreamt of my whole life and it has come true."

Dominique, whose main positions are catcher, designated hitter and first base, was batting .321 with 7 homers and 38 RBI in 45 games for the PawSox. Manager Terry Francona is likely to use him as a pinch hitter for now.

Dominique made his debut in the top of the eighth, taking over at first base. He batted in the bottom of the eighth, treated to a standing ovation and a chant of "AN-DY, AN-DY" from the remaining fans. He struck out swinging.

Mueller, who will undergo surgery to clean out his right kneecap area in Phoenix on Friday, was batting .262 with 5 homers and 21 RBI in 36 games this season.

Nomar making progress

Nomar Garciaparra (right Achilles), who took batting practice against Harvard pitcher Mike Morgalis again yesterday, may be ready to begin a rehabilitation assignment next week.

That was the word from team physician Bill Morgan after Garciaparra's workout.

"Hopefully we'll get him in a playing situation next week," said Morgan. "We're waiting for him to say, 'It's not bothering me.' The worst thing to do now is push it and have him take a step backward."

Garciaparra, meanwhile, said he has had two good workouts -- Sunday and yesterday -- and is hoping for two more in a row, beginning today. He wouldn't however, confirm any timetable for a rehab assignment.

Champing at the bit

Scott Williamson, who was placed on the DL May 21 (retroactive to May 19) because of tendinitis in his right elbow, said yesterday that he fully expects to be ready to pitch on June 5, the day he's eligible to come off the DL.

Williamson said he expected to be allowed to begin throwing again Friday.

Fast starts; slow going

Johnny Damon continued to get the Sox off to a fast start. The center fielder singled to lead off the first inning. It was the eighth time in the last nine games that Damon has reached base leading off the game.

Another trend, which was disturbing, also continued last night. Damon was nailed trying to steal second, thrown out by Oakland catcher Adam Melhuse. It was the second straight game in which Damon was thrown out stealing. Toronto's Kevin Cash caught him on Sunday.

Damon, who swiped 61 bases and was thrown out a total of only 11 times in his first two seasons, has five stolen bases but now has been caught four times this season.

Cold, hard facts

The last time the A's visited Fenway Park, they were up, 2-0, in the best-of-five American League Division Series. Boston beat Oakland in Games 3 and 4 at Fenway, on Oct. 4 and Oct. 5, respectively. The game-time temperature for each game was 58 degrees. Last night, May 25, the game-time temperature was 47 degrees.

Here and there

The Sox' 19 hits accounted for a season high. Of those hits, 8 were for extra bases -- 6 doubles, 2 homers . . . Mark Bellhorn's 5 RBI tied a career high, established when playing for the Cubs against Milwaukee on Aug. 29, 2002. The four runs he scored was a career best . . . On a night when the Sox were hammering the ball all over the park, Kevin Millar went 0 for 4, stranding eight baserunners, six in scoring position. And that doesn't count his final at-bat, when he rapped into a double play with a runner at first in the sixth . . . Brian Daubach (0 for 1) was the only other starter without a hit, but he was on base three times. He walked twice and was hit with a pitch. Playing first base, he also made a nice sliding catch of a foul popup with the bases filled and one out in the seventh . . . Jason Varitek (3 hits, 2 walks) was on base all five times.