BOSTON (AP) -- Pedro Martinez struck out 17, but his 13-game winning streak ended Saturday when Greg Vaughn's RBI single in the eighth inning gave the Tampa Bay Devil Rays a 1-0 win over Martinez and the Red Sox.
Martinez fanned six batters through two innings and had 12 strikeouts after five. The 17 strikeouts were the most in the majors this season matching a personal best; he fanned 17 Yankees in a one-hitter last Sept. 10.
He struck out Miguel Cairo to start the eighth for No. 16, then Gerald Williams grounded out before Dave Martinez singled and stole second. Vaughn, who struck out on three pitches in each of his first three at-bats, worked the count full before singling to center as Tampa Bay won for just the second time in seven games.
Martinez (5-1) allowed one run on six hits and one walk. Steve Trachsel (2-2) pitched a three-hitter and struck out a career-high 11 for his third career shutout. He walked three.
Martinez was making his scheduled start despite receiving a five-game suspension on Wednesday, three days after he intentionally hit Cleveland's Roberto Alomar with a pitch.
The suspension was appealed, but general manager Dan Duquette announced in the ninth inning that Martinez has withdrawn the appeal and will begin serving the suspension immediately.
"He decided to do that because this allows him to take his regular turn Friday in Baltimore," Duquette said.
After Gerald Williams singled on the game's first pitch, Martinez struck out the side. Trachsel struck out the first three Boston batters, and then Martinez fanned two more Devil Rays to make it eight consecutive whiffs.
[hr]
It's about G-DAMN TIME!!
Reply With Quote
