In the series, Toronto lashed out at Pauley (4 1/3 innings), Josh Beckett (4 2/3), and Matt Clement (3 1/3) for 19 runs on 28 hits. But, there was a saving grace, not merely in the person of Jonathan Papelbon (club-record 19th consecutive save to begin a season) but in those who join him in the bullpen. Sox relievers limited Toronto to nine hits and two runs, with Keith Foulke and Papelbon pitching only 2 1/3 of those 12 2/3 innings. The pen, for a few nights, did more than could be asked.
``If they don't," manager Terry Francona said, ``we don't win."
But, the bullpen doesn't look as good as it did, and Pauley is out of the game even sooner, if not for the work of the infield. This is how four of Toronto's innings ended last night: 6-3 double play, 1-6-3 double play, 5-4-3 double play, and 6-4-3 double play. The numerical recounting, though, does not do the acts justice. Then again, when has numerical evaluation ever rewarded the ``6" in those equations, light-hitting shortstop Alex Gonzalez? Mike Lowell, for one, has seen enough wizardry to know how good the Venezuelan-born Gonzalez is.
``He's in a class by himself," Lowell said.
Gonzalez's most imperative turns came in the second and sixth. In the second, with the score tied, 1-1, and the bases loaded on two walks and a hit batsman, Pauley got leadoff batter Frank Catalanotto to bounce up the middle. Pauley realized later that he should have gone home with the ball to begin a 1-2-3 double play.
``I think I let the game speed up on me and decided to go to second," he said.
Gonzalez, fortunately, had bolted for the bag, where Pauley's throw arrived, though offline.
``I knew I pulled it," Pauley said.
Gonzalez reached for it, managed to get his feet down, dance around the runner, and relay to nab Catalanotto.
``That ball has a chance to go into the outfield and they call icing," said Francona, keen on his hockey knowledge for a guy who has seen one NHL game, the Canadiens at the Forum when he played for the Expos in the '80s. ``Gonzo, whatever he did at the plate, might as well give him some RBIs. He saves runs. I know it doesn't count but it might as well."
Said Lowell: ``That's an inning that could be disastrous. He turns it into two outs."
