Martinez Sizzles Again in Return

An extra day of rest did absolutely nothing to hinder the effectiveness of the remarkable Pedro Martinez.

Truth is, the right-hander rarely has been sharper than he was Friday night.

A well-rested Martinez marked his return from a five-game suspension by pitching a two-hitter and striking out 15 as the Boston Red Sox defeated the slumping Baltimore Orioles, 9-0.

Pitching for the first time since May 6, Martinez (6-1) allowed only two baserunners. He retired the first 12 batters before Albert Belle led off the fifth inning with an opposite-field single. After Jeff Conine hit a one-out single, Martinez recorded 14 consecutive outs. He lowered his earned-run average to 1.01.

The 1999 Cy Young winner was suspended for hitting Cleveland’s Roberto Alomar with a pitch on April 30. Martinez struck out 17 in a 1-0 loss to Tampa Bay on May 6, then dropped his appeal of the suspension and served the time.

Asked if he wanted to make a statement to Frank Robinson, who levied the suspension, Martinez replied, “I don’t have anything to prove to him. He understands the way I am and he understands about baseball. . . . I’m just here to pitch, do my job and go home and be happy.”

It was Martinez’s first shutout of the year and 12th of his career. He has struck out at least 10 batters five times this season and 59 times in his career.