Martinez Looks a Bit Vulnerable

It is possible this is only a Yankee thing, as most things in pinstripe-obsessed Boston are in the fall, but Pedro Martinez has lost four consecutive starts, leading to predictable anguish.

Two of those losses were to the Yankees, leading to Martinez’s now famous observation, “What can I say?

“I tip my hat and call the Yankees my daddy.”

What this has to do with the Angels, against whom Martinez will start tonight in Game 2 of the American League division series, is lost on the Angels, who know Martinez only for his lifetime 9-1 record against them and the three Cy Young Awards.

“He is still darn good,” Angel Manager Mike Scioscia recited.

Nevertheless, Martinez stands on the rough end of 20 runs given up over his last 23 1/3 innings.

Martinez skipped the customary postseason news conference for the next day’s starting pitchers Tuesday, then later failed to report to the first-base line for the ceremonial pregame introductions. Martinez will get the baseball in Game 2, the Red Sox leading in the best-of-five series after winning the opener, 9-3.

It is a luxury to hand the ball to Martinez already ahead, a luxury made possible when the Red Sox traded for Curt Schilling before the season started.

A 21-game winner in the regular season and capable enough over 6 2/3 innings Tuesday, Schilling gradually has taken over as ace of the Red Sox staff. Martinez spent most of Tuesday afternoon sitting on the top step of Boston’s dugout, appearing unconcerned. His teammates and coaches insisted he would be fine, that his four end-of-the-season starts were of no concern to them, that Martinez, at 32, hadn’t lost a thing.

“Pedro’s been in this situation many times,” Red Sox pitching coach Dave Wallace said. “You ask any manager in baseball if you’re happy with that guy going to the mound, he’s going to say, ‘Yes.’

“You gotta be kidding me. Total confidence.”

Wallace contended that the same four starts in the middle of the season would have gone unnoticed.

“It looks worse than it is,” he said. “In reality, he’s missing by a little bit. The expectations are so high that there’s a tendency to overanalyze.”

Wallace stopped and laughed before adding, “On our part.”

More alarming than Martinez’s slump, for many, was his apparent surrender to the Yankees. “I think there is a little more gamesmanship there with Pedro than maybe people realize,” Red Sox Manager Terry Francona said.

“I think people that know him probably understand that. I don’t think his confidence is going to be down going into that game.

“I don’t think he was real pleased with the way he pitched at times.... My point is, I don’t think Pedro is going to be nervous or scared or not confident to go out there [tonight]. He will be OK.”

The Yankees chuckled when they heard they heard what Martinez said. So did the Red Sox.

“He is definitely in great spirits,” outfielder Johnny Damon said. “When he made those comments, you know, he was just speaking.... He was just so upset about getting beat by the Yankees that game, but he is ready to pitch, and he is ready to pitch in this series, and, if we get the Yankees again, hopefully we can get past the Angels, but he is going to be ready and he is going to show why he has been one of the best pitchers for a long time.”