01:00 AM EDT on Sunday, June 18, 2006

BY SEAN McADAM
Journal Sports Writer

ATLANTA -- For the second time in as many interleague starts, Josh Beckett helped himself at the plate.

Beckett contributed a solo homer and RBI single against the Phillies on May 20, and yesterday, provided a run-scoring single in the fourth, driving home Alex Gonzalez (double) from second.

That gave Beckett three RBI in two games this season. Going into yesterday, all other American League pitchers had combined for 4 RBI in 58 at-bats in interleague play this season.

"Complete luck," said Beckett of his chopper that went through the infield. "They were playing me in, thinking I was going to bunt. That ground in front of home plate must be pretty hard because the ball just shot out of there."

Added Beckett with a smile: "Hitting is about location, too."

No rest for Ortiz

Manager Terry Francona yesterday, but that changed when Manny Ramirez called the manager and reported that his right knee was aching.

"I was going to sit David," Francona said, "but Manny called me at 8:15 (in the morning) and said his knee acted up. It was balky. Then, I immediately called David. I didn't want both of them not to play."

Ortiz had an RBI double and a solo homer.

Ramirez, who had his knee wrapped yesterday morning, is in the middle of a brutal stretch, hitless in his first 14 at-bats on the road trip and without an RBI. Dating back further, Ramirez is 0-for-17 since homering in the second inning of last Sunday's first game.

Over his last seven games, he's 2-for-23, with both hits for homers, and his average has dipped to .282 from .307 in that span.

After yesterday's game, the consensus was that Ramirez would be back in the lineup tonight.

Kapler back in action

Gabe Kapler returned to action for the first time since last September. He went in as a defensive replacement in the bottom of the seventh inning as Kevin moved to first base.

Kapler received a standing ovation from the Red Sox fans in attendance when he came to the plate in the top of the eighth and the applause intensified when he singled to right.

Kapler then made a fine play in the bottom of the eighth, coming in to make a diving catch on a line drive by Jeff Francoeur .

He scrambled to his feet to make a throw to the plate, but Andruw Jones successfully tagged and scored on Francoeur's sacrifice fly.

Gonzalez playing sharper

Alex Gonzalez , back at short after getting the night off Friday, had three hits, boosting his average to .249.

He also has gone 48 games without an error, the longest stretch for a Red Sox shortstop in a single season. Rico Petrocelli also went 48 games without an error, but it carried over from Sept. 25, 1968, to May 30 of the next season.

"What makes (the streak) more special," Francona said, "is his range, plus he attempts to make so many plays. He doesn't play 'safety first.' You know what you're getting defensively every day. The pitchers know when the ball is hit (to him), you're out, even when he's been frustrated at the plate."

Terry's choice -- or was it?

A humorous moment took place in the seventh, when, with switch-hitter Wilson Betemit due at the plate, Francona went out to remove Manny Delcarmen .

Francona signaled for righty Julian Tavarez , but somehow, the communication broke down and lefty Javier Lopez began trotting in from the pen. Halfway to the mound, Francona got his attention and sent him back. Eventually, Tavarez emerged and took the mound, getting Betemit for the final out of the inning.

The problem? Knowing that the visitor's bullpen is situated at a bad angle, he used his right arm, but dropped it down sidearm so that he could be seen. Umpire Bruce Froemming saw the sidearm motion and thought that was meant for Lopez, who, while left-handed, throws with a submarine delivery.

Smoltz vs. Schilling

Surprisingly, tonight's matchup of John Smoltz and Curt Schilling represents just the third time the two veterans have faced each other. While with Philadelphia, Schilling beat Smoltz and the Braves on June 3, 1992. Five years later, Smoltz edged Schilling and the Phils. Weaver watch The Sox had West Coast pro scout Jerry Stephenson in attendance Friday night in Anaheim to watch Jeff Weaver , who allowed three runs in six innings while striking out nine.

The clubs have spoken about Weaver, but it has yet to progress to the point where names are being exchanged.

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