01:00 AM EDT on Friday, July 22, 2005

BY STEVEN KRASNER
Journal Sports Writer

CHICAGO -- His swollen left thumb is encased in a removable splint most of the day.

But while his injured thumb, which forced him to the 15-day disabled list on Monday, continues to heal, Mark Bellhorn is hoping the inactivity can help the struggling Sox second baseman rehabilitate the most important muscle -- the brain.

"You never want to sit out for two weeks, but I can clear my mind, find myself," said Bellhorn yesterday in Boston's clubhouse.

Bellhorn has been suffering through a tortured season at the plate. Boston's number-nine hitter was batting a mere .216 when he suffered the injury on Sunday while making a diving play to rob the Yankees' Jason Giambi of a hit.

Making matters worse was that Bellhorn, who established a franchise record with 177 strikeouts last season, was leading the majors in whiffs this year, with 109. And making things even worse for Bellhorn was that he was batting only .160 at home (.260 on the road), bringing the boo-birds out following each failure to deliver.

"I'm not going to say it hasn't affected me," said Bellhorn of the booing at Fenway Park. "I understand it in a sense. The fans in Boston are passionate. They want the team to win and they let you know if you're not helping that process of winning. Strikeouts are a big part of that. I'm putting too much pressure on myself. You talk to anybody and it's two different situations. You're more relaxed playing on the road."

Bellhorn is aware that the Sox now have two bona-fide big-leaguers playing second base in his absence -- Alex Cora and Tony Graffanino. He knows his starting job won't necessarily be handed back to him when he's healthy.

"A lot depends on what they're doing and what the team is doing. I kave confidence in myself, but I don't want to think about that right now," said Bellhorn.

Bellhorn said his thumb still is sore and stiff. He said he thought he'd be ready to play once his time on the DL is over, but he said he would need some at-bats on a minor-league rehab assignment before returning to Boston.

Kapler on the mend

Gabe Kapler, serving as the designated hitter, went 1 for 4 on Wednesday night for Single-A Lowell on his rehab assignment. Kapler was expected to DH again last night for Lowell, and then, after taking today off, he was scheduled to report to Pawtucket for tonight's game. He will DH and play the outfield for the PawSox as he tries to get back into big-league playing shape.

Extra bases

Matt Clement suddenly has become a gopher-ball artist. In his last three starts, totaling 17 1/3 innings, the right-hander has been tagged for seven homers, including three last night . . . Manager Terry Francona said he won't hesitate to use Curt Schilling for more than an inning at a time, and that Mike Timlin might also get multiple-inning duty . . . The relief win for Schilling was his first since April 27, 1992, for Philadelphia against the Padres.

Mark Buehrle has gone at least six innings in 48 straight starts, the longest such streak since the White Sox' Jack McDowell had a similar stretch during the 1992-1993 seasons. Next on the list for Buehrle is Steve Carlton, who had 69 consecutive starts of six innings or more from 1979-1982 . . . Shortstop Edgar Renteria messed up a rundown after Aaron Rowand was caught on a pitchout trying to steal second in the sixth. Renteria elected to run down and tag Rowand himself as the White Sox center fielder retreated to first, but missed him with a swipe-tag as Rowand slid headfirst into the bag. Renteria's lapse in judgment didn't end up costing the Red Sox any runs, but it did cost Clement nine more pitches, pushing his game total to 108 and finishing him for the night . . . Manny Ramirez has hit .303 (61 for 201) over his last 50 games. He has four homers in his last six games. . . . Cora renewed acquaintances with his brother, Chicago third base coach Joey Cora .