May 19, 2004

Wakefield's Whirlwind. "I wanted to win for my new son. Being a new father, I'm pretty excited about that. It's been a whirlwind. I'm still on cloud nine." The game ball was in his locker, next to a picture of days-old Trevor Stephen Wakefield. ... The victory was Wakefield's 105th with the Sox, tying him with Pedro Martinez and Lefty Grove for 8th place on the team's all-time list. He also pitched his 1,707th inning, tying Bob Stanley for 5th in team history.

Wakefield told catcher Doug Mirabelli that because of his hectic schedule the past few days he'd probably be relying on him more than usual in the early innings. Carl Crawford began the first inning with an infield single that Mark Bellhorn should have charged quickly. Bellhorn did hustle on a similar play in the 3rd and threw the speedy Crawford out. After the hit, Wakefield retired the next 13 Devil Rays (Crawford did come around to score (stolen base, fly to right, grounder to first)). Wakefield allowed singles to Brook Fordyce and Crawford to start the 6th, but pitched out of that jam with little trouble. ... Scott Williamson and Mike Timlin both looked a bit rusty, each allowing a run in their one inning of work.

Edes, Globe: "Sources inside and outside the club said yesterday that the Sox are actively shopping [Byung Hyun Kim], with one major league scout insisting that, depending on the deal, the Sox would be willing to eat part of Kim's two-year, $10 million contract. ... The Sox, according to one club source, are hopeful that Kim continues to improve, not to earn a return trip to Boston, but so the Sox can persuade somebody else to take him off their hands. ... One major league source with National League ties said the Diamondbacks reached a similar point last May, when they traded Kim to the Red Sox for Shea Hillenbrand. The Diamondbacks, the source said, also struggled with what they perceived to be Kim's immaturity, and his refusal to take advice, from the coaching staff or teammates, especially as it pertained to his workout routine."

Hohler, Globe: "More than eight weeks after they placed Nomar Garciaparra and Trot Nixon on the 15-day disabled list, the Red Sox last night remained uncertain when either player will join the team. ... The length of the absences has stunned everyone involved because the injuries initially were considered relatively minor." ... The Pawtucket Times reported Garciaparra might begin his rehab this weekend in Rhode Island, but the team said he would be working out that day at Fenway. ... Trot Nixon played in an extended spring training game Monday and was pleased with how he felt afterwards. MLB says he's close to returning. It sounds like he'll be back before Nomar. ... On Monday, Ellis Burks took batting practice for the fourth straight day.

Michael Silverman of the Herald looks at Garciaparra, Varitek and Lowe and the free agent market (anonymous quotes from scouts and agents). ... Two pieces on Boston's sub-par fielding. ... Schilling and Martinez watch Johnson's perfect game. ... More on the Red Sox travel troubles. ... Thomas Boswell: "The Weird, Wacky World Of Baseball Injuries" ... San Francisco's Jason Schmidt threw 144 pitches in a complete game, one-hit, 1-0 victory over the Cubs. ... The Yankees managed only one hit after the 3rd inning and lost 1-0, in 11 innings, to the Angels. The Red Sox are back in first place.

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