01:00 AM EDT on Thursday, May 26, 2005

BY STEVEN KRASNER
Journal Sports Writer

TORONTO -- Trot Nixon would rather not be left out when the opposition starts a left-handed pitcher, though the left-handed hitter refuses to make waves when manager Terry Francona opts to start Jay Payton in his place against southpaws.

Last night, though, Francona gave Nixon a start against a left-hander, partially because Nixon looked good in lining a single off left-hander Scott Downs on Tuesday night, and partially because Toronto's Ted Lilly last night represented the first of three consecutive lefties the Red Sox will face.

The Jays' Gustavo Chacin starts tonight and the Yankees' Randy Johnson will be on the mound tomorrow night in the opener of a three-game set in Yankee Stadium.

"I'm torn," said Francona before the game about his lineup decision. "I don't want Trot sitting for three days, but playing Jay three days in a row would be good for him."

Ultimately he started Nixon last night, but Payton will start tonight and likely tomorrow night, too.

Nixon, who was batting .250 (4-for-16) with one RBI against lefties this season, chopped out to first with runners at first and second and two outs in the second against Lilly. He stranded two more in the fourth, lining out to left with runners at first and second and two outs.

But in the seventh, with a runner at first and one out, Nixon banged a single through the right side.

Payton is batting .194 (7-for-36) against left-handers, but has a homer (against Johnson) and seven RBI.

Change of fortune

It had been a long time since Bronson Arroyo had tasted defeat, back on Aug. 21, 2004, to be exact.

Arroyo's nine-game winning streak, the longest such active streak in the majors, came to an end last night. The right-hander, who was appearing in his 100th big-league game, lasted six innings, surrendering five runs, only two of which were earned, on six hits.

He also hit two batters, boosting his total to six, tying him for the league lead. Arroyo led the majors with 20 last season.

During his personal winning streak, which was achieved over 17 games, the Sox had gone 15-2 in those starts.

Mueller back on his feet

Bill Mueller was back in the lineup one night after getting drilled on the left foot. So what happened in his first at-bat last night? Mueller was hit just above the left elbow by Lilly in the second inning.

Mueller also walked, singled and was robbed of a hit by Justin Speier on his ninth-inning comebacker. Mueller scored the Sox' only run.

Setting things straight

Yesterday's Internet report that struggling Red Sox closer Keith Foulke had gone to Birmingham, Ala., on Monday to have noted orthopedist James Andrews examine his right shoulder was not true, said Foulke and Francona prior to batting practice yesterday.

"The part about the doctor is grossly inaccurate. It's a shame," said Francona.

After parrying with the media in the Sox' clubhouse yesterday, the often prickly Foulke said, "I did not see a doctor. It's a non-issue."

Foulke did not accompany the Red Sox to Cooperstown, N.Y., for Monday's Hall of Fame Game. Foulke missed it for personal reasons. The club excused Foulke from attending the game.

Foulke has been struggling, certainly, but Francona and Foulke insist an injury is not the reason he entered last night's game with an inflated 7.29 earned-run average. It's a mechanical problem, said Francona.

"He has been very inconsistent pulling the ball out of his glove to the release point," said Francona. "It has been a battle for him."

Foulke pitched the eighth last night, retiring the three batters he faced, on a sizzling deep liner to left-center that left fielder Manny Ramirez snagged with a snow-cone grab, a questionable called third strike and a routine flyout.

Mirabelli a ways away

Catcher Doug Mirabelli still has the splint on his left wrist, and it will remain there for another week.

Mirabelli, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list because of a left wrist sprain, retroactive to May 19, is eligible to come off the DL on June 3, but Francona indicated Mirabelli wouldn't necessarily be able to jump right back into the lineup at that point.

So Shawn Wooten, whose contract was purchased from Pawtucket to serve as a backup catcher to Jason Varitek, could be in Boston longer than just the 15 days. Francona said he would like to get Wooten into a game soon, but was vague yesterday as to when that might be. Wooten caught much of the Hall of Fame Game.

Around the horn

Varitek and Arroyo had a mixup in signals, causing plate umpire Bill Welke to get drilled on the left arm by a fastball in the first inning. Varitek clearly was expecting a curveball. . . . Varitek seemingly was picked off in the second inning, tagged out at second on a throw from first baseman Eric Hinske to shortstop Russ Adams. But first-base umpire Tim Welke called a balk on Lilly's throw over to Hinske, awarding Varitek second base.