Damon Seems OK After Collision

Red Sox centerfielder Johnny Damon, who was knocked unconscious in a frightening collision with Boston second baseman Damian Jackson as they chased a fly ball in the seventh inning Monday, did not fracture his cheekbone, according to Manager Grady Little.

“He had no fracture,” Little said. “It looks like he’ll be fine.”

Damon, who was taken to Highland Hospital for observation, received a concussion. His status for Game 1 of the league championship series Wednesday against the New York Yankees is not certain.

Damon’s right cheekbone struck the side of Jackson’s head as they both tried to catch a fly ball by Jermaine Dye. Jackson stayed in the game.

Damon was awake and alert when he was carried off the field. He raised his arm and signaled to the crowd as he was lifted into an ambulance.

Jackson had entered the game as a defensive replacement when the inning started.

Said Jackson: “It was a scary moment. That’s not the way it’s supposed to go down.”

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The Red Sox have a payroll of $104 million and the Athletics have a payroll of $54 million.

Said Oakland General Manager Billy Beane: “Give me $50 million and we won’t lose after being up, 2-0.”

Meanwhile, it’s possible that Miguel Tejada, last year’s MVP, and All-Star closer Keith Foulke have played their last games with the A’s. Both players are free agents.

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Oakland Manager Ken Macha denied a published report that A’s pitcher Tim Hudson was involved in a brawl at a Boston nightclub Saturday night before his starting assignment Sunday afternoon at Fenway Park.

The San Francisco Chronicle, quoting a bartender at the nightclub who did not want his name used, said Hudson was part of a fight.

“I spoke with Tim,” Macha said. “To me, it’s a non-issue. He explained to me what happened and nothing happened.”

Hudson took himself out of Sunday’s game because of a pulled muscle. He said nothing happened.

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RESULTS

Best-of-five series

*--* * Game 1 -- OAKLAND 5, BOSTON 4 (12 innings) * Game 2 -- OAKLAND 5, BOSTON 1 * Game 3 -- BOSTON 3, OAKLAND 1 (11 innings) * Game 4 -- BOSTON 5, OAKLAND 4 * Game 5 -- BOSTON 4, OAKLAND 3 Red Sox win series, 3-2

*--*

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How they scored

FOURTH INNING: Athletics 1, Red Sox 0--With two out, Hatteberg walked. Guillen doubled to center, Hatteberg scoring. Guillen was out trying to advance to third. One run, one hit.

SIXTH INNING: Red Sox 4, Athletics--Varitek homered to left, his second. Damon walked. Garciaparra fouled out. Walker was hit by a pitch, Damon taking second. Ramirez homered to left, his first. Ortiz struck out. Millar popped to second. Four runs, two hits.

Red Sox 4, Athletics 2--With one out, Durazo doubled to center. Chavez popped to short. Tejada doubled to center, Durazo scoring. Hatteberg grounded to short. One run, two hits, one left.

EIGHTH INNING: Red Sox 4, Athletics 3--Singleton doubled to right. McMillon, pinch-hitting for Ellis, singled to right, Singleton scoring. Menechino replaced McMillon as runner. Embree replaced Martinez as pitcher. Durazo popped to third. Chavez flied to left. Timlin replaced Embree. Tejada forced Menechino. One run, two hits, one left.