PAWTUCKET -- The comeback of Keith Foulke hit a wall yesterday as the Red Sox reliever left McCoy Stadium without throwing a pitch.

Expected to start and pitch an inning against the Buffalo Bisons, Foulke threw for a short spell in the bullpen before abruptly stopping. He walked to the clubhouse, changed out of his uniform and left McCoy with the game still in the first inning.

On his short walk to a black sedan in the parking lot, Foulke refused to discuss his health issues. "It's whatever you want it to be," he said before pulling away from the stadium.

Dave Wallace, the Red Sox' pitching coach who is recovering from hip surgery, was with Foulke and also brushed off reporters, but did say, "he's going to get treatment on his back."

The health issue that's landed Foulke on the disabled list is a muscle strain in his right elbow. While his back woes could be minor, another health roadblock would dim his chances for any quick return to Boston's pitching staff.

"He had some stiffness so he didn't want to try it," said PawSox pitching coach Mike Griffin . "He did some long toss but got up on the mound and just felt tight."

Fouke's McCoy disaster was in stark contrast to his impressive outing Friday night in Lowell when he threw one perfect inning against the Vermont Lake Monsters. Foulke started and tossed 12 pitches, 10 for strikes, and struck out one.

Foulke was 2-1 with a 5.63 E.R.A. in 29 games with the Sox before he went on the disabled list. Boston's plan had Foulke throwing in Pawtucket yesterday and then perhaps again tomorrow. Due to Foulke's back issue, no alternative plans were made public last night.

Great to be home

Although he'd barely had time to unpack his suitcase from a 10-game road trip and journey home Saturday, manager Ron Johnson was happy to be back at McCoy early yesterday morning. The PawSox held their annual Challenger Baseball Clinic for youngsters who confront physically disabilities. Johnson, coaches Mike Griffin and Mark Budaska and players Ken Huckaby, Corky Miller, Phil Seibel, Jeff Bailey and Kason Gabbard all took part in the clinic.

"It's a heart-wrenching thing out there," said Johnson. "It puts things into perspective, which is good for all of us. You come out here at 9 o'clock and see these kids and count your blessings. You kind of feel like you've made somebody's day."

Turnstiles are hot

PawSox baseball and summer heat have always gone well together and the last two days were no different. Yesterday's game drew 10,561 fans under the humid, mid-80s heat. Saturday night's game drew a season-high 11,176, the eighth largest crowd in franchise history. Stretching back to the team's two previous home games (July 19-20), the Sox have drawn 10,000-plus fans for four consecutive dates for the first time ever.

The turnstiles should keep spinning this week with the Bisons in town again tonight and tomorrow afternoon. After a rare off-day Wednesday, the PawSox begin a four-game series on Thursday against Syracuse.