01:00 AM EDT on Sunday, June 20, 2004

BY SEAN McADAM
Journal Sports Writer

SAN FRANCISCO -- Seeking to imrpove their bullpen depth, particularly in the middle and late innings, the Red Sox are close to an agreement with veteran reliever Curtis Leskanic. Terms could be finalized by tomorrow.

Leskanic was given his unconditional release by Kansas City last week and cleared waivers Friday, meaning he can be signed for the prorated $300,000 minimum salary, or about $175,000.

He could give the Sox an experienced arm for middle innings. In recent weeks, unwilling to use inexperienced pitchers such as Lenny DiNardo and Mark Malaska in the fifth innings, the Sox have instead been forced to go to set-up man Mike Timlin.

Timlin pitched three innings in a game in Kansas City two weeks ago, then was used for 2 2/3 innings Friday in the Sox' victory over the Giants.

An industry source said a number of teams had shown an interest in the 36-year-old right-hander, but that the Sox "had the inside track."

Boston had an interest in acquiring Leskanic last year before he was dealt from Milwaukee to Kansas City. He pitched well for the Royals last year, but struggled badly this season.

In 19 games with the Royals, he was 0-3 with two saves and three blown saves and an 8.04 ERA. Opposing hitters were batting .324 against him and he gave up five homers in just 15 2/3 innings while walking 14.

Trade possibilities

Kansas City general manager Allard Baird was on hand to watch the game, heightening speculation that the Sox might be an interested trading partner for outfielder Carlos Beltran.

Beltran is eligible for free agency after this season and Baird has made no secret of his desire to move him before the July 31 trading deadline.

Baird would not comment specifically on whether the Sox represent a good fit, but pointedly noted that he was looking to fill organizational "voids at catcher and third base."

That could translate into a package of Kevin Youkilis and Kelly Shoppach.

"All I'll say is that I'm making the rounds and seeing some teams that I've talked to," Baird said.

Bond held hitless

The Sox have handled Barry Bonds well in the first two games, keeping him hitless in nine plate appearances (0-for-6 with two strikeouts and two walks).

Bonds had a poor game yesterday, committing an error when he tried to bare-hand Trot Nixon's single in the seventh, allowing a third run to score.

In the eighth, with the Sox deploying a shift against him, Bonds hit a grounder to shortstop Cesar Crespo, positioned to the right of second base. Crespo bobbled the grounder, and had Bonds been running hard out of the box -- he fairly jogged about halfway -- he would have beaten the throw.

Pedro Martinez retired Bonds three times -- fanning him in the first on a wicked cut fastball, getting him to flyout in the third and pop-up in the fifth.

"He's the best," marveled Martinez. "He can get me anytime. Even though I got the best of him today, I still respect him."

Mueller coming back

Bill Mueller, sidelined since last month following arthroscopic knee surgery, rejoined the club late Friday night.

Mueller will return to Boston with the club tonight and begin a running program while taking regular batting practice. Without any setbacks, he could return to action sometime in early- to mid-July.

"The knee feels great," said Mueller. "They took a nice piece of crabmeat and some spinach dip out of there. How I do this week when I start running will determine how quickly I get back."

Mueller said he wasn't happy missing time ("You don't ever want to be injured during the season") but figures he'll be fully healthy for the second half of the year.

He's been watching his teammates via satellite dish from Arizona and has been impressed with the work of Youkilis, who's had the majority of playing time at third since Mueller went on the DL.

"I can't be happier for a guy to have his first experience be this successful," he said.

Jones' vision improves

First base coach Lynn Jones, in Ohio after a grisly mishap that nearly cost him his left eye, has made remarkable progress of late and hopes to be back in uniform with the Sox after the All-Star break.

Jones is scheduled to undergo another operation Thursday. His vision has improved to 20-100, and according to manager Terry Francona, doctors are hopeful that the next procedure will result in 20-50 vision.

Starters rested

Nomar Garciaparra, having played the first four games of the road trip, was given the afternoon off by Francona with Pokey Reese starting at short. When Reese was intentionally walked to get to Pedro Martinez in the fourth, Red Sox fans, stealing a page from Giants' followers, waved yellow rubber chickens. Johnny Damon was also given the day off, with Gabe Kapler in center and Mark Bellhorn in the leadoff spot.

Home run record

Leftovers from Friday night's slugfest: the five homers hit by the Sox were the most by any team in the 4 1/2-year history of SBC (nee Pac Bell) Park. Also, the 14 runs tied the ballpark record for most runs scored in a single game. The Dodgers are the only other team to have scored 14 here.

Journal Sports Writer Steven Krasner contributed to this story