ATLANTA (AP) -- Boston Red Sox closer Keith Foulke finished a
rocky spring by giving up two runs while getting only one out
Saturday in a 5-0 loss to the Atlanta Braves.
Foulke finished the spring with a 15.59 ERA, giving up 17 hits
and 15 runs in 8 2-3 innings. Red Sox manager Terry Francona, who
had expressed concern about a drop in Foulke's velocity, insisted
the right-hander threw better Saturday despite giving up a home run
to Marcus Giles, the first batter he faced.
"I thought Foulke threw much better; his velocity was up,"
Francona said. "He threw a high fastball to Giles, and I've seen
Giles do that to a lot of high fastballs."
Francona said he took Foulke out of the game following Chipper
Jones' single and a fly ball by J.D. Drew "because I hope he has a
save situation (Sunday)."
The Red Sox open their season Sunday night at Baltimore. On
Wednesday, the team placed shortstop Nomar Garciaparra (right
Achilles' tendinitis), outfielder Trot Nixon (herniated disc) and
pitcher Byung-Hyun Kim on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to
March 26.
"If you feel sorry about who you don't have, you're just going
to feel sorry for yourself, and we're not going to do that,"
Francona said. "I think we're ready to play."
Giles turned on a 3-2 pitch from Foulke for his third home run
of the spring to lead off the fourth inning.
Andrew Jones, who went 3-for-3, drove in pinch-runner Damon
Hollins with a double off left-hander Lenny DiNardo later in the
inning.
Foulke, an All-Star last season when he led the AL with 43 saves
for Oakland, has converted 143 of 167 career save opportunities.
Foulke looked sharp early in the count against Giles, hitting the
corners on two strikes before giving up the homer.
"I thought he looked much crisper," Francona said. "We've
just got to get him where he feels good about himself because when
he's right he just attacks the strike zone."
Braves starter John Thomson allowed three hits and struck out
four in three shutout innings. He's scheduled to start Thursday
night against the Mets.
Red Sox starter Tim Wakefield allowed only one baserunner
through three innings. He's slated to start Thursday night at
Baltimore.
Hollins robbed Andy Dominique of extra bases with a leaping
catch against the wall in the seventh inning. Hollins had two hits
and a stolen base but was cut as the Braves set their 25-man
roster.
The Braves kept left-handed hitting DeWayne Wise as their fourth
outfielder while Eli Marrero opens the season on the disabled list
with a strained abdominal muscle.
The Braves also placed pitchers Armando Almanza and Paul Byrd on
the disabled list. Juan Cruz, Will Cunnane and C.J. Nitkowski
earned the final spots in Atlanta's bullpen, while pitchers Trey
Hodges, Tim Drew and Ryan Glenn were assigned to Triple-A
Richmond.
Game notes
Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein said the team would
wait to announce its opening day roster until arriving in Baltimore
later Saturday. Francona said DiNardo will be placed on the
disabled list Sunday. He is working his way back from a strained
left shoulder. ... Boston CF Johnny Damon was back in the lineup
after missing Friday night's game with a strained hamstring. ...
The Braves open their season at home Tuesday night -- the team's
first home night game for a season opener since 1991. Georgia Tech
basketball coach Paul Hewitt will throw out the first pitch.