01:00 AM EDT on Monday, September 27, 2004

BY STEVEN KRASNER
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON -- Kenny Lofton and Doug Mientkiewicz renewed acquaintances at first base yesterday.

The result was a bit of a beanball war that ultimately led to the ejections of Boston pitcher Pedro Astacio, Yankee pitcher Brad Halsey and New York manager Joe Torre. It began in the third, when Lofton grounded out to the second baseman on a routine play. As the Yankee center fielder went past Mientkiewicz, he elbowed the first baseman in the ribs.

They had words, and first-base umpire Tim McClelland "There are 700 players in the big leagues and he's the only one coming down the line continuing to elbow me and bump me on routine plays," said Mientkiewicz.

"I'm not trying to initiate contact. Maybe I should go on a diet because my butt's too big. It's nothing personal against him, but I don't appreciate being bumped every time he comes down the line. I don't appreciate it," he said.

The contact became an issue in the eighth, when Astacio came into the game with the Sox up, 11-2. His third pitch sizzled behind Lofton's thighs. Astacio didn't hit Lofton, but because of recent incidents between the teams, plate umpire Jim Wolf issued warnings to Astacio and both benches.

McClelland then went one step further, tossing Astacio.

In the bottom of the eighth, Halsey threw his first pitch of the inning high and tight to Dave Roberts, backing him off the plate. Roberts started to the mound, but thought better of it. Wolf ejected Halsey, which meant an automatic heave-ho for Torre, too.

The benches cleared and the bullpen crews came in, but there were no punches.

"I was surprised in the manner (Astacio was ejected)," said Boston manager Terry Francona. "I don't know that I've ever seen the first-base umpire do that before."

"I hope it was just a coincidence that when they threw behind Kenny it happened at the same time that most of the regulars came out of their lineup," said Torre.

Roberts said: "I started to go out there (to the mound), but then I took the high road. I want to be around for the postseason. I don't want to do anything there and hurt the team (via a suspension). It worked out for us. We won the game."

Nixon seeing more action

Trot Nixon 's workload keeps increasing, and the Sox' right fielder, whose season was in jeopardy when he went on the disabled list July 25 for the second time this year, has been thriving.

Nixon, who was suffering from a badly strained left quadriceps, started yesterday, the first time since his reactivation Sept. 7 that he had played three days in a row.

Yesterday's start came in a day game following a night game, further testament to Nixon's improving health.

He went 2-for-3 with two runs scored. Since returning, Nixon is batting .455 (15-for-33). It was his fourth consecutive two-hit game, and he has driven in five runs over that stretch.

"He was an impact player for us," said Francona. "We signed him to a big (three-year, $19.5-million contract last winter). We're trying to build him up, get him stronger. He's fitting in to what we've hoped he would do. That's why we have to be careful. We don't want him to get hurt. Having him for part of the time is better than not having him at all even though that frustrates him at times. We not only want him to get his at-bats and be a productive hitter, but be healthy, and I think we're achieving that."

Sox set runs-scored mark

When David Ortiz scored in the second inning it was not only the Sox' seventh run of the game, but their 900th of the season. It was only the sixth time in franchise history that Boston had scored as many as 900 runs. It also was the first time the Red Sox had back-to-back 900-run seasons. Boston scored 961 runs a year ago. Final curtain for Burks Ellis Burks made one last curtain call in a Red Sox uniform.

Before the bottom of the eighth, the message board noted that it was Burks' last game for the Sox. Burks, who already has said he isn't coming back next year, stepped out of the dugout as the fans began to cheer and took several bows, waving his cap to the fans in appreciation.

As Francona trotted out three pinch-hitters in the eighth, the fans chanted "We want Ellis," but they didn't get him. Burks' ailing left knee was drained Saturday and he was not available to hit.

"That was really good," said Burks of the ovation. "That's from being a gentleman my whole career and the people appreciate that. I respect that. I heard the chants. That was really nice."

Sox CEO collars home-run ball

Red Sox CEO Tom Werner had Boston third baseman Bill Mueller played perfectly in the fifth inning.

Mueller launched a home run just over the Yankee bullpen in right field, into the first row of the bleachers right next to the stairway entrance. Werner was standing on the landing at the top of the stairway. He came up with the baseball, and held it up.

Sox leave for Tampa today

Hurricane Jeanne threw the Red Sox a curve as far as their travel plans for the road series against Tampa Bay.

As the first pitch was thrown yesterday, the Sox, after sifting through several possibilities, thought they'd be able to leave for Florida as scheduled after the game. The Sox were going to fly to Fort Myers and then take what normally is a two-hour bus trip to their quarters in St. Petersburg, a short distance from Tropicana Field, home of the Devil Rays.

But because of concerns about road conditions and whether bridges would be open, it was decided the team would leave this morning at 8:15.

The clubs expect to be able to play the series opener at the domed stadium tonight as scheduled.

Boston, on its final regular-season road trip, will play three games against the Devil Rays and then, after a day off Thursday, four games in Baltimore, including a day-night doubleheader on Saturday.

Around the bases

Manny Ramirez came out of the game before the top of the sixth because of a tight hamstring. . . . Yankees Alex Rodriguez, Gary Sheffield and Bernie Williams had words with plate umpire Jim Wolf after disagreeing with "strike" calls, as did Johnny Damon