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

BY SEAN McADAM
Journal Sports Writer

BALTIMORE -- The scare over Pedro Martinez's hip appears to be short-lived.

Martinez, who felt a "pinch" in his right hip in the seventh and final inning of his start here Monday, said that while the area was "a little sore," it shouldn't affect his next start, Sunday in Minneapolis.

Martinez first felt the hip when he slipped on the muddy mound at Camden Yards.

"It's not a big deal. I've been able to pitch with stuff like that before. Hopefully, running and stretching will make it go away," he said.

Martinez ran a bit late yesterday afternoon and played catch.

"I ran on it and it remained a little tight," Martinez said. "I threw a little bit and it didn't feel all that good, but with a little time and a little therapy, it will be OK."

"This kind of thing happens more than you know," said manager Terry Francona, shrugging off the significance.

Martinez, who has lost just one decision since the middle of May, will have the benefit of an extra day between starts. Tomorrow is scheduled as an off-day.

No word on MLB hearing

The Sox were still waiting for Major League Baseball to set a hearing date for David Ortiz.

A source with the Players Association, which will send representatives to assist Ortiz in the process, said only that the timing was being "worked out" late yesterday afternoon.

It's likely that the hearing will take place sometime this week, though likely not before the team leaves Baltimore.

Also forthcoming is word on possible suspensions stemming from the altercation with the Yankees over the weekend. Those disciplinary measures, coupled with the timing, will affect the Red Sox roster.

Andy Dominique, who was recalled from Pawtucket late Sunday afternoon when it became apparent that Jason Varitek would be unable to play that night, will remain with the team because the club expects that Varitek will be lost for a few games and a backup catcher will be necessary.

Mendoza a positive note

One positive development over the last few days has been the reemergence of Ramiro Mendoza.

Mendoza pitched two scoreless innings Saturday in the team's comeback win over New York and was credited with the victory. Monday night, in the series opener here, he pitched two more scoreless innings, retiring six of the seven hitters he faced.

"If we can come in while we're down two and keep (the opposition) there, we've got a chance to win," said Francona. "That would be huge. He's making pretty good pitches.

The Sox are convinced that most of Mendoza's problems were related to confidence. When he enjoyed a successful outing in Anaheim, that started his successful comeback.

Red Sox catchers report that his sinker has good life and note that Mendoza has been able to throw his curve ball for strikes.

Around the bases

Scott Williamson was scheduled to throw a side session yesterday in Syracuse while with Pawtucket, with an eye toward making a rehab appearance tomorrow. The expectation is that he'll join the Sox Friday in Minnesota. . . . Curt Schilling, tonight's scheduled starter, isn't expected to take a shot of Marcaine, the numbing agent he's been taking to deal with the pain of a bruised ankle. . . . Going into last night's action, the Sox led the majors in runs scored (560), but were 61 games off last year's pace, which resulted in 961 runs being scored.