01:00 AM EDT on Thursday, May 19, 2005

BY SEAN McADAM
Journal Sports Writer

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Cla Meredith was optioned to Pawtucket yesterday when the Sox needed to create a roster spot for David Wells, and he took the news in stride. When he was promoted from Pawtucket 10 days ago, Meredith understood that he wasn't going to be here for long.

Meredith, who had made only one appearance above Double A before being summoned, took pride in his stint, even though he was ineffective in three outings -- a 27.00 E.R.A., six hits and seven runs allowed in just 2 1/3 innings.

"I'll still be able to say I pitched in the big leagues when I was 21," Meredith said, "and I learned a lot. I got exposed to the clubhouse, major-league veterans, crowds at Fenway Park, umpires -- everything. When I come back the next time, it will be the next time -- not the first time."

Drafted last June from Old Dominion, Meredith did regret not giving a better account of himself in his brief callup.

"Obviously," he said, "anybody would like to show what they can do. I didn't do that. I didn't exactly put on a good show for my teammates or the Boston fans. I didn't come anywhere near that."

With Bronson Arroyo sidelined during a six-game suspension, the Sox no longer can afford the luxury of trying to get Meredith work at the big-league level, so he'll return to Pawtucket and see regular bullpen duty.

Manager Terry Francona said the Sox had "zero concerns" that Meredith might be set back by his rough outings here.

"When you call a kid up," Francona said, "you want to make sure he can handle it. You do your homework. I thought the way he handled (the disappointment of pitching poorly) was pretty good. The next time he comes here, he's going to benefit from (this introduction)."

Rest for two regulars

Francona rested a couple of regulars in the get-away game, inserting Ramon Vazquez at shortstop for Edgar Renteria and having Kevin Youkilis sub for Bill Mueller at third.

"This is such a quick turnaround (following Tuesday's night game)," explained Francona, "it does (the starters') bodies some good to rest."

Thanks to today's scheduled off-day, the rest had the effect of giving Renteria and Mueller two days off in succession.

Youkilis went 1-for-4 with a two-run double in the eighth. Vazquez, meanwhile, was 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored.

Damon in a slump

When the Sox began the road trip, Johnny Damon had an 18-game hitting streak. But since having the streak end last Friday in Seattle, Damon has nosedived at the plate.

He went 1-for-4 yesterday, making him just 3-for-21 since the streak ended.

"I definitely don't feel great (at the plate)," said Damon. "But I just think there are times when it's not going to click for you. It's just a matter of waiting a little more on the changeup and making some adjustments. If I can swing at strikes, I'll be fine."

Kevin Millar is another Sox hitter heading in the wrong direction. Though he was 1-for-4 yesterday, he's just 3-for-24 in the last seven games with only one RBI after hitting .313 (5-for-16) with two homers, a double and eight RBI in the previous four games.

Around the bases

The 11 walks the Sox worked against Oakland in Tuesday night's victory were the most in a game since they had 12 against the White Sox on Sept. 12, 2003. The Sox went into yesterday's game leading the majors with 176 walks, though they didn't have a single walk yesterday. . . . Yesterday marked only the second time in 37 games this season that Manny Ramirez failed to reach base . Before yesterday, he had reached in 35 of his previous 36. Though he hit career homer No. 400 Sunday in Seattle, Ramirez had a poor trip, going just 5-for-23. . . . Yesterday marked the first time all season that the A's had cracked double digits in runs scored. . . . This was Oakland's first series win against the Sox since Aug. 19-21, 2003, at Boston, and the first here since Aug. 7-9, 2001.