01:00 AM EDT on Monday, July 3, 2006

BY SEAN McADAM
Journal Sports Writer

MIAMI -- Yesterday represented the start of the international free-agent signing period, and the Red Sox are set to announce two significant signings in the coming days.

Industry sources indicate the Sox have reached agreement with 16-year-old Dominican Engel Beltre, a left-handed hitting outfielder with power and a strong throwing arm.

Beltre is expected to land a signing bonus in excess of $700,000. One National League organization recently rated Beltre as one of the four best free agents available in Latin America.

Players from non-draft eligible countries such as the Dominican Republic, Venezuela and Australia are free to sign with the team of their choice. Previously, players had to be 17 before signing, but a recent change now allows players who will turn 17 before September to sign beginning July 2.

The name of the other player expected to be signed couldn't be learned last night.

The Sox had had interest in Venezuelan catcher Jesus Montero, whom they worked out in Fort Myers during spring training. But a fierce bidding war erupted for Montero and, when the price topped $2 million, the Sox began to lose interest.

Montero is expected to sign soon with the New York Yankees.

In the record books

Jonathan Papelbon's magical season continues yesterday, when he notched his 25th save, the most by a Red Sox rookie. Papelbon had been tied with Dick Radatz, who saved 24 in 1962.

"It's neat to be part of Red Sox history," he said. "But that's not what I'm aiming to do -- it just kind of happened. Now, I have to focus on the second half of the season and finish strong."

Papelbon came on to get the final out in the eighth, then turned back the Marlins in the ninth. It was the ninth time this season that Papelbon has pitched more than an inning in relief.

Showing plenty of power

David Ortiz hit his 26th homer of the season in the third inning, giving him three in the last two games. But with a little luck, Ortiz could have easily hit five in the three-game series here.,

Ortiz didn't start Friday night's series-opener, but came to the plate as a pinch-hitter in the bottom of the ninth. He hit a long fly ball to the warning track in right off closer Joe Borowksi that outfielder Jeremy Hermida grabbed with his glove above his head and his back against the wall, missing a homer by inches.

On Saturday night, after homering in the third and fourth, Ortiz hit an opposite-field double to left that struck the scoreboard and missed going out by less than half a foot.

Errors again

After going 17 games without committing an error, the Sox made two for the second straight game.

Ortiz dropped a foul popup in front of the home dugout when he attempted to make a basket catch on Miguel Olivo in the third. Later, Kevin Youkilis was charged with an error when he bumped into teammate Mike Timlin while fielding a bunt by Wes Helms in the seventh and made a throw that pulled Ortiz off the bag at first.

The last time the Sox made multiple errors in back-to-back games was Sept. 2 and Sept. 3, 2005 against Baltimore.

Around the bases

Ortiz became the 15th player to hit nine homers in interleague play. Jim Thome holds the single-season record with 11 for the 2004 Philadelphia Phillies. . . . Kevin Youkilis led off the game with a homer, his 10th of the season and fourth leadoff homer of the year. In the bottom of the inning, former Sox prospect Hanley Ramirez answered with a homer of his own, marking the first time in exactly a year that two teams had leadoff homers in the same game. On July 2, 2005, Orlando Palmeiro (Houston) and Felipe Lopez (Cincinnati) did so, . . . For the three-game series with the Sox, the Marlins drew 93,048, their biggest three-game attendance draw since the first series of the 2005 season when they drew 96,830. . . . Until yesterday, when Jon Lester managed to limit them to two runs over five innings in a no-decision, the Marlins had been tough against rookie starters, going 4-1 with a 7.73 E.R.A. in six starts against them. ... The Sox were 0-for-2 in stolen base attempts. Manny Ramirez attempted to steal second in the sixth, while Trot Nixon was nabbed trying to steak second in the fourth.

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