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Costly mistake Mora's error leads to Boston's ninth-inning rally
Posted: Friday July 14, 2000 01:16 AM
BOSTON (AP) -- The Boston Red Sox opened the second half of the season feeling lucky for a change. Brian Daubach led the way, hitting a two-out, two-run double in the ninth inning that gave Boston a 4-3 win over the New York Mets on Thursday night in Pedro Martinez's return from the disabled list. But Daubach never would have gotten the chance if shortstop Melvin Mora didn't muff what could have been a game-ending double-play. And if his double caromed off the right-field wall differently, Jose Offerman might not have scored the game-winner. "We didn't get too many breaks in the first half," Daubach said. "It's a great way to start the second half." The win was Boston's first when trailing after eight innings this year. It also improved the Red Sox to 8-16 in one-run games, and was a positive start to the second half after a disappointing first half that's been marred by poor play and injuries. Daubach's hit on a 2-2 pitch from Armando Benitez (2-4) came after Manny Alexander ran for pinch-hitter Scott Hatteberg, who walked. Jose Offerman followed with a grounder that Mora called a 'perfect' double-play ball. Except Mora bobbled it and everyone was safe. "I didn't keep my eyes on the ball," he said. "That's why I dropped it." Two batters later, Daubach's hit over Derek Bell's head scored Offerman from first. "It hit the bottom of the wall and did one of those pinball things," Bell said. "If it comes off the pad, I would have had a chance. It hit at the bottom of the pad and just died." Rich Garces (4-0) got the win with 1 1-3 innings of scoreless relief. Benitez blew his fourth save in 23 chances. Martinez left his first start in 18 days with a no-decision after striking out 10 and allowing two runs and five hits in seven innings. The AL Cy Young Award winner was sidelined with a strained left rib cage muscle following his June 25 start against Toronto, a no-decision in which he allowed three home runs. Martinez felt like he had good command, and threw with no discomfort. "No pain," Martinez said. "Thank God, no. I felt a lot better. I hope I can continue to feel the same way." Boston scored just two runs for their ace, continuing a recent trend of anemic offense when Martinez is on the mound. His league-leading ERA increased from 1.44 to 1.51. Mets catcher Mike Piazza delivered a key hit in his first game back after being beaned by Roger Clemens. Piazza's single with two outs in the eighth inning off Garces was misplayed by center fielder Carl Everett, allowing Edgardo Alfonzo to score from first. Alfonzo singled off reliever Rheal Cormier. Piazza was knocked out of last Saturday's game with the New York Yankees and forced to miss the All-Star game after he was hit in the head by Clemens' fastball. Piazza said everything felt normal Thursday. "Without a doubt, it's good just to get back out there," he said. "I feel lucky there wasn't more severe effects from it." The Mets took an early lead off Martinez when Jay Payton followed Todd Zeile's two-out double with a double down the third-base line in the second. Boston went ahead in the sixth on Morgan Burkhart's two-run homer following Everett's single, but Payton tied the game 2-2 with a solo shot into the left-field screen in the seventh. Notes: Offerman was thrown out stealing in the first inning, making him 0-for-8 in attempted steals this season. ... After his double in the second, Payton has a hit in 16 of 19 games ... When Everett scored on Burkhart's home run, it was the first run Mets starter Bobby J. Jones gave up in 14 career innings at Fenway Park. ... Burkhart's second home run of the season was his first career shot at Fenway.
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