"Sometimes We Worry More Than We Need To." The bats returned and while Kim struggled with his location, the bullpen (Arroyo, Embree, Williamson, Foulke) was rock solid once again. ... Red Sox public relations director Glenn Geffner predicted that Ortiz would go deep twice -- and Tizzle hit a solo shot in the 1st and a 3-run job in the 3rd. .. In the 6th, Bill Mueller mashed a 3-run tater to right to break a 5-5 tie and send the Sox on their way.

Ortiz couldn't believe Jason Davis took exception to Manny Ramirez flipping his bat and admiring his 459-foot homer: "Who does he think he is, Nolan Ryan? That nobody can get a home run off him?" ... More Tiz: "You're going to face bumps in the road. Everything isn't going to be all flowers and beautiful things. ... Why do we have to panic? Sometimes we worry more than we need to."

All eyes are on Pedro Martinez tonight. El Rey: "I don't have to prove anything to anybody. I'm just here to have good games and bad games and whatever God has to offer. I'm not competing with anybody except my opponent." ... Pedro also said a few words to the Globe. ... Martinez is 10-1, 1.66 in 14 starts against Cleveland and 5-0, 1.88 in 6 starts at Jacobs Field. He faces C.C. Sabathia.

Gordon Edes reports on the contract negotiations between the Red Sox and Pedro Martinez in the spring of 2003. Negotiations stalled on an extension although the club did exercise the $17.5 million option for 2004. A source told Edes that Pedro wanted a 3-year deal, plus an option, that would have paid him between $14.5 and $15.5. ... Edes: "[I]t should give pause to those who wish to describe Martinez as trying to squeeze every last cent out of the Sox. It remains to be seen what Martinez will be able to command on the open market this fall, but what he was willing to do at the time was, indeed, accept a hometown discount. In a business where players measure themselves against their peers, Martinez was willing to cede the distinction of being the game's highest-paid player to a 40-year-old pitcher eight years older than he was [Randy Johnson], and at a number -- given his track record -- that could be termed eminently reasonable."

First base coach Lynn Jones suffered a serious eye injury yesterday, when a screwdriver accidentally struck him in the eye. ... There were no updates on Nomar Garciaparra or Trot Nixon, although Francona said the inflammation around Nomar's right Achilles' tendon has slowly subsided. ... Jason Varitek is hitting .462 (12-26) in his last eight games. ... The Red Sox are 14-0 when leading after eight innings.

The Yankees rallied late and beat Oakland last night 4-3. Rivera gave up singles to the first two A's in the bottom of the 9th, but did not allow a run. Jose Contreras was demoted to Tampa (A); Donovan Osborne is now the 5th starter. Jeter had the night off, so Torre just slotted Enrique Wilson in the leadoff spot. Stupid? Sure, but at .210, he is hitting 30 points higher than Capt. Intangibles. ... Both the Red Sox and Yankees are 16-11. The Orioles (13-12) are 2 games back.