01:00 AM EDT on Monday, April 10, 2006

BY SEAN McADAM
Journal Sports Writer

BALTIMORE -- Keith Foulke didn't get to close out yesterday's victory, but he did get closer to doing so.

While Foulke's last two appearances had come with the Red Sox comfortably ahead, the Sox brought him into yesterday's 4-1 game in the eighth inning. Foulke sparkled, striking out pinch-hitter Brian Roberts and Corey Patterson before retiring David Newhan on a lineout to first.

"I felt better today than I have in a long, long time," Foulke said. "I was getting on hitters quickly and that [makes them] hit off-balance and take defensive swingsI made some good pitches."

Manager Terry Francona, who has been trying to restore Foulke's confidence, raved about the outing.

"That's as good as I've seen him throw in a long time," Francona said. "I'm in his corner, big-time. I think he deserves a lot of credit."

Foulke threw 12 pitches, nine for strikes. His fastball topped out at 88 mph.

"It's something you put in the positive memory bank and try to repeat about 75 times," said Foulke.

When Foulke came off the field, he was greeted warmly by teammates in the dugout.

"I think there's a lot of respect for him," said Francona. "He's been as professional as you can be. I think they were happy for him."

Bard getting better

Josh Bard 's second game behind the plate catching Tim Wakefield was far better than the first.

After being charged with three passed balls in four innings last Tuesday night in Texas, Bard bounced back nicely yesterday.

In Wakefield's six innings, Bard had difficulty with a handful of pitches, but none with runners on base and wasn't charged with a passed ball.

"Today was good," agreed Bard. "But every day is a process. I want to keep getting better. I still I dropped a couple of pitches, but it was an improvement [over the first start]. Hopefully, this will turn into me being like a good umpire -- you'll never notice me."

Crisp rested as a precaution

Coco Crisp sat out with a jammed left index finger, which was swollen.

Crisp incurred the injury when he slid into third base and was caught stealing in the third inning Saturday night.

The outfielder could have played yesterday, but with an off-day today, Francona took the opportunity to give Crisp two days to recover.

Adam Stern took over in center and in the leadoff role and had a nice game, collecting two hits while knocking in two.

"Anytime you can help the team win -- that's what I'm here for," said Stern who didn't know he was in the lineup until he walked into the clubhouse.

Two errors in two innings

After playing errorless ball in their first three games of the season and four of their first five, the Sox made two misplays in the first two innings yesterday.

Second baseman Mark Loretta let a ball roller hit by David Newhan roll between his legs in the bottom of the first. An inning later, shortstop Alex Gonzalez bobbled a feed from Loretta as the Sox tried to get a forceout on Ramon Hernandez. Roster move upcoming

The Sox will have to make a roster move before Wednesday's game when David Wells is scheduled to make his first start. It's expected that lefty Lenny DiNardo will be sent to Pawtucket to clear room for Wells.

Wells, who began the year on the disabled list (knee), made a rehab start at Pawtucket Friday night.

Around the bases

At 5-1, the Red Sox are off to their best start since 1999 when they went 6-0. The team also opened at 5-1 in 1969, 1955 and 1952 . . . The Sox are 10-4 in their last 14 home openers . . . The Toronto Blue Jays will the home opener opponent for the fifth time in history and third time in the last five years.

smcadam@projo.com / (401) 277-7340