Wakefield could rest easier during his abbreviated night of comedy as he prepared to try to keep the streak alive tonight against the White Sox. Damon could happily zip about town on his motorcycle, unburdened by the albatross of another loss. And Martinez could take a great measure of pride in knowing the difference he has made for the Sox as he improved to 13-4 and positioned himself for a run at another 20-win season.
When the Sox have needed him the most, Martinez has lost only once in his last 15 starts.
"I just feel confident enough to do what I've been doing," he said as he burnished his resume for challenging the likes of Mark Mulder, Johan Santana, and Curt Schilling for the Cy Young Award. "I hope it continues to be that way."
With his latest mastery, Martinez scattered six hits, walked none, and struck out 10 for his first shutout since he one-hit the Rays in a brawl game Aug. 29, 2000, at Tampa Bay. He fired 109 pitches in hurling his first complete game since he went the distance against the Rays last Sept. 16 in the Fens for his 100th victory in a Boston uniform.
"He's one of the best pitchers we've ever seen in this game, and that's what he's showing," said Kevin Youkilis, whose solo homer off Tampa Bay starter Mark Hendrickson provided the only run Martinez needed.
As the Sox continued to capitalize on sound defense and timely hitting -- so much timely hitting that even third base coach Dale Sveum could muster a smile after Tampa Bay center fielder Rocco Baldelli remarkably burned him by twice more gunning down Sox runners at the plate -- Martinez further silenced the skeptics who doubted him early in the season. He repeatedly hit 93 on the radar gun, held the Rays hitless in eight tries with runners in scoring position, and controlled the strike zone so completely that he went to ball three against only two batters, both in the ninth inning.
Manager Terry Francona all but guaranteed Martinez would flourish over the course of the season despite the early panic created by the diminished velocity of his fastball.
