Martinez Defeats Indians Again

Pedro Martinez can’t be intimidated by taunts, boos or death threats. And as far as the Cleveland Indians are concerned, Martinez can’t be beaten.

Martinez did it to Cleveland once again Thursday night, giving up four hits in seven innings to remain undefeated in his career against the Indians in leading the Boston Red Sox to a 7-4 victory at Cleveland.

“He’s the MVP of this team,” Dante Bichette said. “He’s so valuable I don’t think it can even be measured. He’s the most dominating pitcher that I’ve ever seen.”

Martinez (17-5) improved to 9-0 against the Indians.

There was heavy security for the series finale after Martinez revealed that his life had been threatened while warming up for Game 5 of the playoffs last season.

Martinez was making his first appearance at Jacobs Field since April 30, when he hit Roberto Alomar with a pitch, earning a five-game suspension. He buzzed a couple of hitters, but baseball’s best pitcher zeroed in on the strike zone when he needed to.

Martinez struck out 10, including the side in the third and seventh, when the Indians put two on with none out.

Carl Everett had a two-run homer and Bichette homered off Charles Nagy (2-5) as the Red Sox moved within two games of the Indians in the wild-card race.

Toronto 3, New York 2--Jose Cruz Jr. hit a two-run homer in the 11th as the Blue Jays won at New York.

David Wells and Andy Pettitte matched zeros for seven innings, yet neither was around when the game was decided.

With the score tied, 1-1, Carlos Delgado led off the 11th with a walk against Randy Choate (0-1). Two outs later, Cruz hit a drive into the wind in left field. Luis Polonia backed up to the wall, leaped, but the ball just cleared his glove for Cruz’s 30th homer.

Wells failed for the third time to reach 20 wins.

Texas 8, Kansas City 1--Rookie Doug Davis gave up three hits in 7 1/3 innings at Arlington, Texas, and Rafael Palmeiro hit his 36th homer.