Baseball Guru
07-27-2001, 06:42 AM
by MIKE FITZPATRICK
Associated Press Writer
The banged-up Boston Red Sox have hung tough in the AL East all season. Now, they have some help on the way.
With Nomar Garciaparra looking good in his minor league rehab assignment and Bret Saberhagen ready to return to the majors for the first time in nearly two years, Boston beat the Toronto Blue Jays 6-3 Thursday night to remain 2½ games behind the first-place Yankees.
Hideo Nomo (11-4) struck out 10 in seven innings to win his fifth straight start, improving to 7-0 at Fenway Park and 10-0 following a Boston loss.
''I think he likes this mound here. I think he likes this atmosphere,'' Red Sox pitching coach Joe Kerrigan said.
Top starter Pedro Martinez and slugging outfielder Carl Everett are still out with injuries, but Boston finally has a few things to look forward to.
Garciaparra, on the disabled list all season after having surgery on his right wrist on opening day, doubled off the center-field wall for his first extra-base hit this year as Triple-A Pawtucket beat Indianapolis.
The three-time All-Star went 2-for-3 with an RBI and scored a run in the third game of his rehabilitation assignment. He made one error at shortstop.
Garciaparra, who has won the last two AL batting titles, is expected to play one more game at Triple-A before being re-evaluated by Red Sox physician Bill Morgan.
More than 21 months after his last big league appearance, Saberhagen will pitch Friday night at Fenway against the Chicago White Sox. The two-time Cy Young winner and three-time subject of shoulder surgery said he expects to feel like a rookie.
''I'm a little anxious, a little nervous, a little bit of everything,'' Saberhagen said. ''I'll take deep breaths out on the mound and try to relax.''
Associated Press Writer
The banged-up Boston Red Sox have hung tough in the AL East all season. Now, they have some help on the way.
With Nomar Garciaparra looking good in his minor league rehab assignment and Bret Saberhagen ready to return to the majors for the first time in nearly two years, Boston beat the Toronto Blue Jays 6-3 Thursday night to remain 2½ games behind the first-place Yankees.
Hideo Nomo (11-4) struck out 10 in seven innings to win his fifth straight start, improving to 7-0 at Fenway Park and 10-0 following a Boston loss.
''I think he likes this mound here. I think he likes this atmosphere,'' Red Sox pitching coach Joe Kerrigan said.
Top starter Pedro Martinez and slugging outfielder Carl Everett are still out with injuries, but Boston finally has a few things to look forward to.
Garciaparra, on the disabled list all season after having surgery on his right wrist on opening day, doubled off the center-field wall for his first extra-base hit this year as Triple-A Pawtucket beat Indianapolis.
The three-time All-Star went 2-for-3 with an RBI and scored a run in the third game of his rehabilitation assignment. He made one error at shortstop.
Garciaparra, who has won the last two AL batting titles, is expected to play one more game at Triple-A before being re-evaluated by Red Sox physician Bill Morgan.
More than 21 months after his last big league appearance, Saberhagen will pitch Friday night at Fenway against the Chicago White Sox. The two-time Cy Young winner and three-time subject of shoulder surgery said he expects to feel like a rookie.
''I'm a little anxious, a little nervous, a little bit of everything,'' Saberhagen said. ''I'll take deep breaths out on the mound and try to relax.''