Martinez Told Little to Warm Up Relievers

Aware that he was tiring, Pedro Martinez told Boston Red Sox Manager Grady Little to have relievers warming up late in Game 7 of the American League championship series against the New York Yankees.

“I said, ‘Get the guys ready in case I get in trouble,’ ” Martinez said Friday of his conversation in the dugout after the seventh inning.

Little was criticized for sticking with Martinez after they talked on the mound as Hideki Matsui waited to hit in the eighth. Martinez thought he could get Matsui out, but Matsui’s double put runners at second and third.

Jorge Posada followed with a bloop, two-run double that tied the score at 5-5 and prompted Little to bring in Mike Timlin. The Yankees won, 6-5, on Aaron Boone’s homer in the 11th.

Boston did not renew Little’s contract for next season, although team officials said the decision to keep Martinez in the game was one of several factors.

Martinez is signed through next season, with a salary of $17.5 million, and said during a conference call that he wants to stay with the Red Sox. He said he would wait for the club to contact him about a new contract.

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The Red Sox received permission to interview Angel bench coach Joe Maddon for their managerial vacancy.

Boston General Manager Theo Epstein said he anticipates meeting with Maddon in Phoenix next week at the major league general managers annual November meeting. Epstein also confirmed that Angel pitching coach Bud Black had withdrawn from consideration for the job.

Maddon, 49, played, coached and managed in the Angels’ minor league system for 19 years before joining the major league coaching staff in 1994.

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A 19-year-old man arrested in the death of a Cincinnati Red outfielder told police he was involved, according to court documents released Friday.

Reginald Riddle of Harvey, Ill., made an initial court appearance Friday. He was arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder, armed robbery, kidnapping and burglary but wasn’t charged.

According to court records, Riddle said in an interview with police that he was involved in the death of Dernell Stenson, who was playing in the Arizona Fall League. Stenson was found dead Wednesday in the Phoenix suburb of Chandler.

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Yankee first base coach Lee Mazzilli has been hired to manage the Baltimore Orioles. He agreed to a two-year contract with two one-year club options.... The Chicago Cubs exercised their $6-million option for right-hander Matt Clement, who won a 14 games last season.

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Times staff writer Bill Shaikin contributed to this report