01:00 AM EDT on Thursday, June 8, 2006

BY STEVEN KRASNER
Journal Sports Writer

NEW YORK -- The rainout of last night's game at Yankee Stadium, announced about three hours before the scheduled first pitch, has given Boston manager Terry Francona more options for Saturday's day-night doubleheader at home against the Texas Rangers.

For tonight's series-ending game against the Yankees, both teams merely moved last night's starting pitchers up a day, so Boston's Curt Schilling will oppose New York's Jaret Wright.

There had been some conjecture that the Yanks would skip Wright, which would have set up a Schilling-Randy Johnson matchup tonight, but New York manager Joe Torre didn't make that possible, pushing Johnson back a day for a start against Oakland.

The rainout may change the Sox' rotation for the Texas series.

Until last night's rainout, Boston had a hole to fill Saturday for the day portion of the twin bill. Josh Beckett already was scheduled to pitch the nightcap.

Promising left-hander Jon Lester seemingly was poised to be called up from Pawtucket for that start. His most recent PawSox start had been shifted so he'd be on normal rest for Saturday.

Now, though, Francona can get through the series without having to use another untested rookie in the rotation.

Tim Wakefield, originally scheduled to pitch tonight, will be moved to tomorrow night's start at Fenway Park in the opener of the four-game series against Texas. That is, if rain doesn't force a postponement tonight.

If tonight's game is played, then Matt Clement would be able to pitch the first game Saturday, with Beckett at night, and then rookie David Pauley, who threw so well Tuesday night in the Bronx, would start Sunday. The Sox have Monday off, so they'd be able to reset their rotation if they want.

Wait till September

Last night's rainout is expected to be made up the next time the Red Sox visit Yankee Stadium, for a weekend series Sept. 15-17.

The most likely scenario would be for a day-night doubleheader on Saturday, Sept. 16. The teams have a regularly scheduled day game that day, so adding a night game would work.

Boston would be coming from Baltimore on Sept. 14, where the Sox would be playing a night game. That would make a day-nighter the next night less likely.

The teams have three mutual off-days -- July 27, Aug. 7 and Sept. 7. But the Red Sox would be coming home from Oakland at the end of a six-day trip, so that doesn't seem feasible. On Aug. 7, both teams are in the middle of road trips, and on Sept. 7 the Yanks are in the middle of a road trip, so those dates don't seem to work, either.

Kapler to Portland

Gabe Kapler, who is signed to a minor-league contract, will be assigned to Double-A Portland, effective tonight, to continue his comeback from an Achilles injury he suffered last year.

It is not a rehabilitation assignment because Kapler is on a minor-league contract. He had been working out in extended spring for about a week. There is no timetable for his return to Boston.

Around the bases

Mike Timlin (right shoulder) was feeling so much better after two days of playing catch that the plan called for him to throw a bullpen session yesterday, a couple of days ahead of schedule. Mother Nature, though, didn't cooperate. Timlin is eligible to come off the disabled list on Saturday. . . . Craig Hansen, who has been starting recently for Pawtucket after having been drafted last year and groomed as a closer, was not a candidate for Saturday's start against Texas. . . . Pauley pitched so well (6 2/3 innings, 2 runs) Tuesday night that Francona said he deserved another start, which he will get Sunday.

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