Saberhagen Makes Pitch for Postseason Rotation

Not too long ago, the Boston Red Sox wondered whether Bret Saberhagen would be able to pitch in the playoffs at all. Now he could be starting Game 2.

The former Cy Young Award winner and World Series MVP, rebounding from his third trip to the disabled list this year, pitched six innings of two-hit, shutout ball Saturday to lead the Red Sox over the Detroit Tigers, 9-1.

“I guess I’ve got the routine down pretty well,” Saberhagen (10-5) said after striking out two and, for the fourth consecutive game, walking none. “I just wish I could have stayed healthy all year. Who knows, maybe we could be even with the Yankees, or even a few games up on them.”

The victory puts Boston three games behind the American League East-leading New York Yankees and left the Red Sox with a 4 1/2-game lead over Oakland in the wild-card race. The Red Sox have won nine of 11 and 19 of 24.

“I plan on being around for the postseason,” said Saberhagen, who has as many victories this year as walks allowed. “That’s the only thing I’m playing for.”

Nomar Garciaparra went four for four with a homer to improve his league-leading batting average to .359, and Jason Varitek also homered for Boston. The two former Georgia Tech teammates combined for seven hits, seven RBIs and five runs.

Troy O’Leary had two doubles and drove in two runs to give him 101 RBIs for the year. His previous best was 83.

Saberhagen, the only active Red Sox player to have won a World Series, is cementing his place in the rotation behind ace Pedro Martinez. Saberhagen allowed two runners: Bill Haselman bounced a single past Garciaparra in the second inning and Karim Garcia singled in the sixth. His earned run average dropped to 3.11.

“We all know what he’s going through, and he goes out there and pitched his heart out, day in and day out,” Garciaparra said. “We need his mind-set and his determination. I think we all feed off that.”

Jeff Weaver (8-12) gave up six runs, 10 hits and four walks in 3 1/3 innings. A day after pounding the Tigers with 16 hits, scoring six runs in the eighth inning of a 14-3 victory, the Red Sox put the game away early.

“We did nothing against him. We couldn’t generate anything,” Tiger Manager Larry Parrish said. “Over there, they’re playing hard, and we just seem down.”

Saberhagen picked up his first victory since Aug. 11. After lasting just two innings in an Aug. 17 loss to Oakland, he went on the disabled list with soreness in his right shoulder.

He returned to give up three hits in five innings in a no-decision against the Yankees last Sunday.

“I didn’t know if he was coming back,” Red Sox Manager Jimy Williams said. “ I knew he was going to try. And that was enough to give him the ball.”