OAKLAND -- After the disappointing seasons experienced by veteran free agents relievers Julian Tavarez (5.30 E.R.A.) and Rudy Seanez (.276 batting average against), the Red Sox shudder to think where they would be without Manny Delcarmen.

Even after a rough outing Sunday in Seattle in which he failed to protect a late-inning lead, Delcarmen went into last night having allowed just three runs in his last 13 outings.

Delcarmen had appeared in 28 games and compiled a 1-0 record with a 3.48 E.R.A. He had been scored upon in just two of his previous 15 innings.

Manager Terry Francona credited pitching coach Al Nipper with a mechanical adjustment on Delcarmen in spring training that enabled the Boston native to better command his fastball.

"He's given us a big lift," Francona said of Delcarmen, who was sent back to Pawtucket on May 7, only to be recalled three weeks later. "Now, I think he feels like he belongs here. He competes."

"The nice thing about Delcarmen and (Craig) Hansen," said Nipper, "is they're getting experience along the way. They're learning as they go and you can't get this kind of experience at Triple A. They've had some growing pains, but nothing that's really hurt us."

How can he lose?

David Ortiz would seem a lock for American League Player of the Month for July.

With five games to go, Ortiz went into last night with 11 homers this month, the most in the majors. The Red Sox club record for most homers in July is jointly held at 13 by Jimmie Foxx (1939) and Clyde Vollmer (1951).

Ortiz also has a major-league-leading 25 RBI, two more than Atlanta's Andruw Jones before last night's action.

The Sox club record for most RBI in July is 33, set by Nomar Garciaparra in 1998. Ortiz' best month this year, meanwhile, was May, when he produced 28 RBI.

Bard in no rush

Negotiations with first-round draft pick Daniel Bard, the Sox top choice out of the University of North Carolina, have stalled some and it now seems unlikely that Bard will make his pro debut this season.

Just over a month remains in the minor-league regular-season schedule and even if the Sox were to come to an agreement in the next two weeks with Bard's representative, it's unlikely they'd want to rush him onto the field for the purpose of two or three outings.

Bard pitched all the way to the College World Series title game for the Tar Heels. If he's signed in the next few weeks, the Sox might ship him to their Instructional League program in September.

How low can he go?

If Jonathan Papelbon continues at his brilliant pace, he has a chance to establish a modern E.R.A. record.

Papelbon went into last night with a 0.53 E.R.A. over 51 innings of work. The lowest E.R.A. for a pitcher with at least 50 innings thrown is held by Dennis Eckersley, who posted an 0.61 E.R.A. for the 1990 Oakland A's.

The record for the best E.R.A. by a rookie pitcher with 50 or more innings was established by Rob Murphy, then with the Cincinnati Reds. Murphy had an 0.72 E.R.A. in 1986.

A long time coming

Last night was Curt Schilling's first appearance here in Oakland since Aug. 9, 1990, when he appeared in relief as a member of the Baltimore Orioles.

The 16-year gap between appearances at the ballpark is Schilling's longest since he went 15 years (July 1, 1990-Aug. 7, 2005) between pitching at the Metrodome in Minneapolis.

Around the bases

Keith Foulke is set to throw another side session today before the Sox conclude their road trip with an afternoon game here. After that, the Sox will determine the next course of action for Foulke, who might not be far from a rehab assignment. . . . Matt Clement threw at a distance of 75-80 feet for the third straight day under the supervision of pitching coach Dave Wallace.

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