Red Sox Start on Right Foot

The Boston Red Sox opened the second half of the season feeling lucky for a change.

Brian Daubach led the way, hitting a two-out, two-run double in the ninth inning that gave Boston a 4-3 victory over the New York Mets on Thursday night in Pedro Martinez’s return from the disabled list.

But Daubach never would have gotten the chance if shortstop Melvin Mora didn’t muff what could have been a game-ending double play. And if his double caromed off the right-field wall differently, Jose Offerman might not have scored the winning run.

“We didn’t get too many breaks in the first half,” Daubach said. “It’s a great way to start the second half.”

The victory was the Red Sox’s first when trailing after eight innings. It also improved the Red Sox to 8-16 in one-run games, and was a positive start to the second half after a disappointing first half that was marred because of poor play and injuries.

Daubach’s hit off Armando Benitez (2-4) came after Manny Alexander ran for pinch-hitter Scott Hatteberg, who walked. Jose Offerman followed with a grounder that Mora called a “perfect” double-play ball.

Except Mora bobbled it and everyone was safe.

“I didn’t keep my eyes on the ball,” he said. “That’s why I dropped it.”

Two batters later, Daubach’s hit over Derek Bell’s head scored Offerman from first.

“It hit the bottom of the wall and did one of those pinball things,” Bell said. “If it comes off the pad, I would have had a chance. It hit at the bottom of the pad and just died.”

Rich Garces (4-0) got the victory with 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief.

Benitez blew his fourth save in 23 chances.

Martinez left his first start in 18 days with a no-decision after striking out 10 and giving up two runs and five hits in seven innings.

The American League Cy Young Award winner was sidelined because of a strained left rib cage muscle after his June 25 start against the Toronto Blue Jays, a no-decision in which he gave up three home runs.

Martinez felt like he had good command, and threw with no discomfort.