Martinez Does Everything but Get the Win

Pedro Martinez figured to make it a long night for the Cleveland Indians. They never could have imagined it would drag into the wee hours against Boston’s other pitchers.

Jason Varitek and Trot Nixon homered in the 13th inning Wednesday night off Jim Brower as the visiting Red Sox kept pace in the American League playoff race with a 6-4 victory over the Indians.

The Red Sox, who got another stellar outing from Martinez, remained within 3 1/2 games of the first-place New York Yankees in the East. Boston also picked up a half-game on Oakland in the wild-card chase, opening a 3 1/2-game lead on the A’s, who were rained out in Baltimore.

“This is a very special victory coming against a team like this and in extra innings,” Boston Manager Jimy Williams said.

Varitek opened the inning off Brower (1-1) with his 17th homer, and one out later, Nixon hit his 16th and fourth in five games.

Jose Offerman homered and drove in three runs for the Red Sox, who won for the 17th time in 22 games and completed a 12-game trip 9-3.

John Wasdin (8-3) pitched two scoreless innings for the win. After Martinez left after seven innings, Boston’s relievers combined for six innings of four-hit relief. Closer Rod Beck pitched three scoreless innings, and has not allowed a run in nine innings since being acquired from the Cubs on Aug. 31.

The teams combined for 33 strikeouts--20 by Indian batters--in the 4-hour, 40-minute marathon, which included Martinez striking out 14.

He was poised to win his fifth straight start before the Indians rallied. In his last six starts, Martinez is 4-1 with a 1.60 earned-run average and has struck out 83 in 45 innings.

Martinez also reached double digits in strikeouts for the sixth consecutive game and 17th time this season.

Chicago 3, Detroit 1--James Baldwin (10-12) and Keith Foulke combined on a three-hitter to lead the White Sox at Chicago.

Brian Simmons hit an RBI single for the White Sox, who won for only the fourth time in 20 games.

Tampa Bay 8, Seattle 4--Herbert Perry hit a tiebreaking solo home run in the seventh inning at St. Petersburg, Fla., to help the Devil Rays end a five-game losing streak.

The Devil Rays, at 63-83, matched their victory total from last year’s expansion season.

Oakland at Baltimore, ppd., rain--Steady rainfall from Hurricane Floyd forced the postponement of the game between the Athletics and Orioles at Baltimore, and the expected full-force arrival of the hurricane also caused today’s game to be called off.

The games probably will be made up as part of a doubleheader Sept. 23, an off-day for both clubs.