01:00 AM EDT on Saturday, July 31, 2004

BY SEAN McADAM
Journal Sports Writer

MINNEAPOLIS -- In the final full day before this afternoon's non-waiver trade period comes to a close, the Red Sox continued to search -- without success -- for deals, making it increasingly unlikely that the team will make a trade by the deadline.

Often, the Sox found doors slamming shut rather than opening. When the Florida Marlins pulled off a six-player deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, it precluded with the Sox. Florida had interest in Derek Lowe, but with pitcher Brad Penny apparently gone in a trade to the Dodgers, the Marlins couldn't free a starter to send to Boston in return for the struggling sinkerballer.

The Sox fielded a number of calls from teams interested in obtaining lefty Jon Lester, the club's second-round pick from 2002. Lester, who would have been part of the Manny Ramirez-Alex Rodriguez megadeal with Texas last winter, is having a strong year at Class A Sarasota (4-5, 3.55 E.R.A., 72 strikeouts in 66 innings) and the Sox consider him virtually untouchable.

The Chicago Cubs continue to press the Red Sox for Nomar Garciaparra, but GM Theo Epstein doesn't believe that Matt Clement is nearly enough value in return.

There's little in the way of bullpen help available, but the Sox will continue until 4 p.m. today.

Subdued on suspensions

The Red Sox had little comment regarding the suspensions handed down to three of their players Thursday. The suspensions stemmed from the altercation with the Yankees a week ago at Fenway Park.

Jason Varitek was suspended for four games, while outfielders Gabe Kapler and Trot Nixon received three-game suspensions. All three immediately filed appeals.

"We're going let [the appeal process] take its course," Varitek said. "I'm not going to publicly react."

Reminded that Alex Rodriguez, with whom he tangled, had questioned why Varitek wasn't given a lengthier suspension, Varitek said: "That seems to be his strategy. He wants to relate publicly [what he thinks]; I'm not fighting this publicly."

Later Varitek added that he didn't feel it necessary to defend his actions.

"[The videotape of the incident] is pretty much black and white," Varitek said.

Kapler said, "I don't want to get too into my feelings. I'll wait until the final process [is complete]. I don't want to incriminate myself. And I don't want to be the guy using [the media] as an avenue to voice what I feel. [The appeal] will be my opportunity to voice my feelings."

The Sox didn't hear from John McHale Jr. on the status of David Ortiz's appeal of his five-game suspension dating back to his ejection from a July 16 game in Anaheim. That means Ortiz likely will be eligible for the entire three-game series here.

Nomar's heel hurts

Garciaparra was out of the lineup last night for the series opener, complaining of discomfort in his heel. Ricky Gutierrez was the starter at short.

"We've said all along that I'd need to be getting a day [off] once in a while," Garciaparra said. "I've know that from the beginning."

Garciaparra and manager Terry Francona were hopeful that the shortstop could play tonight, but offered no guarantees. Garciaparra first began feeling some pain Wednesday night in Baltimore.

Around the bases

Scott Williamson, who was roughed up in a Triple-A rehab assignment Thursday night, will need at least one more outing at the minor-league level before being activated. Williamson is without pain in his elbow, but has yet to show good command after a nearly month-long layoff. . . . Nixon was back in Boston, having undergone an MRI on his ailing left quadriceps yesterday morning, the results of which weren't known before the game. . . . Pedro Martinez said his hip was improved and won't affect him tomorrow afternoon. . . . Wednesday's game in Baltimore featured no walks by either team, the first such game involving the Sox since July 5, 2002 against Detroit at Fenway. . . . For the second straight game, Red Sox pitchers didn't walk a single batter. The last time they went two consecutive games without walking a batter was Aug. 10-11, 2002 against the Twins, winning 2-0 behind Martinez and 3-1 with Tim Wakefield.

Kapler shines

In addition to contributing three hits and three RBI, Kapler turned in the defensive play of the night in the seventh when he gunned down Justin Morneau at third trying to leg out a triple. Kapler fired a bullet to Bill Mueller, who applied the tag.

"I kind of grabbed it and launched it," said Kapler. "It just so happens the ball was in the right place at the right time."