If Mantei, whose mechanics are noticeably different from the pitcher who saved 29 games for Arizona in 2003 (in the absence of arm trouble, could he, like Curt Schilling, be favoring an ankle?) has to go on the DL, the Sox might reach down to their minor league system. Not for another reliever -- not yet -- but for a starter, because tonight's scheduled starter, David Wells, has physical issues of his own -- plantar fasciitis in his foot.
Jeremi Gonzalez has been Pawtucket's best starter and was an earlier call-up, but he pitched last night for Pawtucket. Lefthander Lenny DiNardo, who has limited big league experience, pitched the night before. Scheduled to pitch tonight for the PawSox is Chris Narveson, the lefthander who came from Colorado in the B.K. Kim deal. He could be summoned on an emergency basis tonight. The other possibility may be in Portland, where top prospect Jon Papelbon is scheduled to pitch tonight for the Sea Dogs. Papelbon missed his last start with a hip flexor and was lit up in his previous outing, one observed by GM Theo Epstein, but the Sox liked him enough this spring to give him a start in Florida, and showed last season with Abe Alvarez that they have no compunction about calling up a Double A pitcher.
Clearly, the status quo cannot continue, not with Mantei unable to throw a strike. He threw 32 pitches last night, only 13 for strikes. After getting the last out in the sixth, Mantei walked the first three batters in the seventh, gave up a two-run double to Eric Hinske, then walked one more batter before Francona lifted him.
The game was lost even before Mantei's breakdown. Matt Clement's next-to-last start before the All-Star break was not a happy one, as the Jays hit him with an eight-spot in 5 2/3 innings, as the normally reliable Mike Myers, facing righthanded pinch hitter Reed Johnson, gave up a grand slam.
