Red Sox’s Misery Mounts Up

Plate umpire Dale Scott apparently figured that the Boston Red Sox weren’t going to take out their frustration on his watch.

Sure, they are off to their worst start in 30 years, and they had just given up four runs to the Royals in Kansas City and they are the only major league team without a victory in this young season.

But when reliever Stan Belinda hit Tom Goodwin on the knee with a pitch in the eighth inning Saturday, Scott was quick to act. Belinda got a quick thumb and the Red Sox got more misery, eventually losing, 7-3.

“It’s not any one aspect we’re lacking,” said Boston Manager Kevin Kennedy. “We’re not hitting. We’re making errors and we’re walking people. It’s not too pretty.”

Two Red Sox losses in Kansas City followed three in Texas.

Bip Roberts, scratched from the starting lineup moments before the game because of what he called “some kind of bug,” had a pinch-hit double off Belinda (0-1) to key the five-run eighth.

Boston took a 3-2 lead into the eighth, and Kennedy lifted starting pitcher Roger Clemens for Belinda, who had just been activated off the disabled list.

After walking Bob Hamelin to open the inning, Belinda yielded an RBI double to Joe Vitiello. Mike Macfarlane followed with a walk, but pinch-runner Jon Nunnally was thrown out at third on Jose Offerman’s bunt.

Roberts then doubled over left fielder Mike Greenwell’s head, and Johnny Damon’s bloop double scored Roberts.

Belinda hit Goodwin with the next pitch and was ejected. Keith Lockhart then singled, scoring Goodwin all the way from first for the inning’s fifth run.

Seattle 8, Milwaukee 5--Paul Sorrento drove in six runs with a pair of homers at Seattle, including a grand slam in the first inning, and Randy Johnson earned his 100th career victory.

Johnson (1-0), who missed his scheduled Friday night start after he became the father of his first son, gave up four runs on four hits in 6 2/3 innings.

Detroit 6, Oakland 1--Felipe Lira (1-1) and two relievers teamed up on a five-hitter and Melvin Nieves had four extra-base hits for the Tigers, who beat Oakland at Las Vegas. Robert Higginson and Cecil Fielder also homered for the Tigers.

Nieves, acquired three weeks ago in a trade with San Diego, had a home run, two doubles and a triple. He also scored three runs.

Cleveland 5, Toronto 3--Charles Nagy gave up a run and six hits in six innings in Cleveland, and the Indians broke out of a slump that had seen them outscored, 19-3, in their first three games, all losses at home.

The Indians benefited from six walks, three errors, a wild pitch and a passed ball, scoring five runs despite going one for 12 with runners in scoring position.

Toronto’s three-game winning streak ended.

Minnesota 8, Baltimore 3--Brad Radke handed Baltimore its first loss in five games with his second impressive start in a row for the Twins at Minneapolis.

Radke (2-0) gave up seven hits in seven innings, retiring 15 consecutive batters in one stretch, to prevent the Orioles from matching their best start since 1970.

Baltimore shortstop Cal Ripken Jr. committed his first error in 75 games, leading to an unearned run for Minnesota in the fifth inning.

Texas 4, New York 2--Bobby Witt gave up six hits and two runs in six innings at Arlington, Tex., for the Rangers, who won their fourth consecutive game.

Witt outdueled Jimmy Key, who was making his first start since May 16, 1995, and his first since undergoing rotator cuff surgery in July. He walked three and struck out four in his 88-pitch outing.