01:00 AM EDT on Sunday, June 11, 2006

BY SEAN McADAM
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON -- After one of the longest rain delays in Fenway Park history, the Red Sox and Texas Rangers had to be content to play one game instead of two, as planned, yesterday.

The clubs had a day-night doubleheader scheduled, with one game set for 1:25 p.m. and the second set for 8. But by late afternoon, with the rain still falling, the Sox abandoned the idea of getting the nightcap in, too.

After a delay of four hours and 47 minutes, the teams began play at 6:12 p.m.

That game was itself a makeup of a May 13 rainout from the Rangers' visit to Fenway last month. The Rangers are already scheduled to make up a May 14 rainout on July 20, a common off-day for both clubs.

Last night's game will be made up today at 12:05 p.m., with the regularly-scheduled 2:05 game pushed back to 5:05. The Sox set the start times in part so that both games can be televised by NESN. ESPN, which broadcasts a nationally televised game each Sunday night, owns an exclusivity period beginning at 8 p.m., preventing any competing local telecasts.

The clubs negotiated for several hours yesterday in an effort to reschedule last night's rainout. Other possibilities included playing a day-nighter on July 20 -- a suggestion the Sox players were cool to, since the team must fly to Seattle that same day -- and a single game on Sept. 11, another common off-day.

But the Rangers, who play in Seattle on Sept. 10 and in Detroit on Sept. 12, didn't want to criss-cross the country on the evening of Sept. 10 for a single game, then fly to Detroit the following night.

By the time last night's game began, sold-out Fenway was only two-thirds full. As a good-will gesture to the fans who waited patiently during the long delay, Red Sox ownership made free hot dogs available at the concession stands.

Scrambling plans

The second-game rainout played havoc with both teams' pitching plans.

The Sox opted to start rookie lefty Jon Lester, making his major league debut, in the game. Lester had been set to pitch the first game for Boston.

Texas went fellow rookie lefty John Rheinecker.

Today, the Rangers will pitch Kevin Millwood in the first game, followed by John Wasdin. The Sox will throw Josh Beckett -- yesterday's scheduled Game Two starter -- in the opener and come back with David Pauley -- over Matt Clement -- in the second.

The club has been monitoring some soreness in Clement's right shoulder and, with Pauley available, thought it best to give Clement additional time to recover.

"We decided to back up Clement and throw a side day before his next start," said manager Terry Francona. "We want to be assurede that he doesn't get out there and have that thing cramp up and lose a starting pitcher."

Milestone for Manny

Manny Ramirez hit his 450th career homer, becoming the 31st player to reach that plateau.

Ramirez' homer, an opposite-field blast that landed in the visitor's bullpen in the eighth inning, sent him past Jeff Bagwell on the all-time list. He's one behind Jim Thome (451), three behind Gary Sheffield (453) and 14 behind Frank Thomas (464).

Ramirez has eight homers in his last 16 games.

Second verse, same as first

David Wells got a second opinion on his ailing right knee Friday in San Diego, and it confirmed the Red Sox' diagnosis -- Wells is suffering from a deep knee bruise, but there is no structural damage to the area.

Wells, who has appeared in just two games this season, is expected to remain in southern California until the Red Sox return from their upcoming road trip.

The expectation is that Wells will attempt to come back and pitch again, though there is no timetable set for his return.

Around the horn

Mike Timlin will have a brief rehab assignment with Pawtucket today. Timlin has been out since last month with a right shoulder strain. He's expected to be activated before the Sox road trip starts TuesdayBefore the game, the Sox announced that lefty Mike Holtz was assigned to Pawtucket to begin an injury rehab assignment. Holtz has been on the disabled list since last month with a left elbow strainAfter Friday's 4-3 victory, the Sox are 20-1 in one-run games at Fenway since May 10, 2005. . . . Second baseman Mark Loretta, who had been in a 4-for-31 skid, went 2-for-5Similarly, Jason Varitek had three more hits, giving him six in his last nine at-bats . . . Alex Gonzalez has four RBI in his last four games.

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