Martinez Returns but Red Sox Falter

He says he’s back, but the real Pedro Martinez doesn’t take the mound thinking about pitching half of a game. The real Pedro Martinez doesn’t answer to a pitch count, or look for good news in a team loss.

What the Cleveland Indians saw in their 5-4 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday night was only a sample of the pitcher that dominated the American League in the first half of the season, then dominated the National League’s best to become the All-Star game most valuable player.

And they’re lucky that’s all it was.

“It feels a little weird, because usually I’m the one that’s allowed to go a little longer. But today was an exception,” Martinez said after returning from his first trip to the disabled list with a no-decision. “Hopefully next time I’ll be out there for longer.”

Jim Thome’s second home run tied the game, and Omar Vizquel singled in the game-winner in the ninth to give the Indians their seventh win in eight games and spoil Martinez’ return from a shoulder injury.

Martinez struck out seven in five innings before reaching his pitch count at 78, allowing one run, one walk and three hits. Seeking his 100th career victory, he left with a 4-2 lead before Tim Wakefield (3-8) blew his second save of the season.

Thome hit a solo homer off Martinez in the second inning, then added a two-run shot off Wakefield in the eighth to tie it 4-4. In the ninth, Wakefield walked two before Vizquel singled in David Justice for the game-winner.

“Any time you can get a hit off Pedro, let alone a home run, it’s kind of nice,” Thome said. “Pedro’s Pedro. He’s always going to put his team in a position to win. I know he was on the disabled list, but he still had great stuff.”

“I went seven years without missing a start,” Martinez said. “Hopefully it will be another seven before I miss another one.”

Paul Shuey (7-4) earned the win, pitching 1 2/3 innings and striking out two. Mike Jackson pitched the ninth for his 24th save.

Jaret Wright, also activated on Tuesday after going on the disabled list July 19 because of a muscle strain in his right shoulder, allowed three runs, three hits and six walks in 4 2/3 innings.