01:00 AM EDT on Sunday, April 23, 2006

BY JOE McDONALD
Journal Sports Writer

TORONTO -- You can talk hockey with Keith Foulke, just don't ask him about his aching knees.

The right-handed reliever is a big hockey fan and was persuaded to come to Boston after talking to former Bruins great Bobby Orr.

Prior to yesterday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays, the Red Sox reliever worked three consecutive games and is convinced he's returning to form. The right-hander has allowed only two runs over seven innings in his last five appearances.

Foulke had surgery on both knees within the year and doesn't want that to be the center of attention, even though has had a series of Synvisc (a lubricating agent) shots to help the discomfort. He said the shots worked for a couple of weeks, but since the first week of March the discomfort has returned. He was quite adamant yesterday that his knees are not affecting his pitching

"The more I pitch, the better I will get," said Foulke. "That's what I look forward to . . . I'm starting to put it together a little bit more, even though it seems like every time I go out there I give up runs. I'm happy with the way I'm throwing the ball and it's coming around. Things are getting better."

Scott Waugh, who works with both the Bruins and the Red Sox as a physical therapist, told Foulke the shots were used on a hockey player and he felt like he was 18 again. Foulke agreed with that and indicated the aches aren't bad enough to necessitate another round of shots.

He said the more he pitches, the more comfortable he feels, and added that said he needs to get back into a better routine, hone his mechanics and break the bad habits created after his dominating season of 2004.

Sitting next to him in the visitors' clubhouse at the Rogers Centre in Toronto was Jonathan Papelbon, who has replaced him as the closer.

"It's good for the team if Jonathan is going to be the closer for now," said Foulke. "I'm not going to [complain] and moan about it, it's what's best for the team. I'm not going to fool myself, thinking I'm better than he is because at this point, I'm not. If I have to pitch in different roles to help this team win, I have no problem with that."

Foulke's contract expires at the end of this season, with an option for 2007, and he spoke candidly yesterday about his future after baseball and even mentioned retirement.

"I plan on pitching for a couple of more years," he said. "I plan on being a pretty good pitcher again, not just an average pitcher."

It's still a little premature to consider his future in Boston, but he did discuss the situation yesterday.

"It's a long way from home," he said. "But I love pitching in Boston. I love living there and it's a great city with great fans. I actually really enjoy pitching in Fenway. I never really thought I would ever say that, but it's something I enjoy. [My future] is not up to me, it's up to the guys who wear slacks everyday . . . I'm not playing for minimum wage and living across country in Boston, let's put it that way."

Hello and goodbye

Jermaine Van Buren's debut with the Red Sox didn't last too long. The right-handed reliever was optioned to Pawtucket after yesterday's game in order to make room for Manny Delcarmen. He's been solid for the PawSox, allowing just five hits in five appearances (10 innings) with three walks and 10 strikeouts.

"From what everybody says, he has done a real good job in Triple-A so far. He's throwing the ball real well. We have an issue where we need a fresh arm," said Sox manager Terry Francona.

Van Buren hadn't pitch in a week, so he threw a side-session here on Friday. He said after yesterday's appearance he felt good, but felt he left the ball up in the zone a little bit. He worked three innings, allowing one run on two hits.

Delcarmen, one of the top pitching prospects for the Red Sox, will join the club in Toronto today. This will be his fourth trip to the big leagues, and first this season.

On the cutting edge

Papelbon was sporting a new Mohawk haircut yesterday. The right-handed closer for the Sox said if he pitched 10 consecutive scoreless innings to start the season, he would cut his hair. He made a bet with Kevin Youkilis that he could hold opponents scoreless before Youkilis could reach a .350 average with five homers. After his season-high 2 1/3 innings of work on Friday, Papelbon reached 10 1/3 innings without allowing a run. He was watching the movie Major League in the clubhouse yesterday morning and his new cut was inspired by Charlie Sheen's character Rick "Wild Thing" Vaughn. Foulke said Papelbon's new cut fits his personality. Bullpen catcher Jason LaRocque served as the barber.

Rules are rules

Red Sox right fielder Trot Nixon was caught off guard in his first at-bat yesterday. He reached first on a throwing error, and as the ball made its way to the wall in foul territory, made a motion as if heading toward second. First-base coach Bill Haselman signaled for Nixon to get on the bag, and as he walked back to first base he was tagged out by Toronto first baseman Lyle Overbay.

"I don't quite understand the rule," said Nixon. "According to the rule, if you make any move towards second base, but I didn't feel like I made that big of a move. Obviously I was wrong, but I wasn't going toward second anyways."

Around the bases

In the top of the 12th inning on Friday, Nixon drew a walk and was replaced with pinch runner Wily Mo Pena. Francona was asked about the change yesterday morning and the manager said Nixon, who has been bothered by a sore groin, informed him if he reached base to make the change. "I would kick myself if he didn't score, or gets hurt trying to," said Francona . . . Pena replaced Nixon in right field in the bottom of the seventh inning yesterday.

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