Deciding he was "scratching an itch that wasn't there," Bevingtonwithdrew his appeal of a four-game suspension for his part in theSox-Brewers bench-clearing incident July 22.
While serving the first game of his suspension, Bevington musthave enjoyed the show starring Dave Righetti and acting manager JoeNossek, who guided the Sox to a 4-3 victory before 18,951 atComiskey Park.
Bevington came to the realization that he had little chance ofwinning the appeal.
"We feel we have a shot at the wild card and we felt this would bea better time to (serve) it than down the road," Bevington said.
"Regardless of what I say, regardless of the actual facts, theleague president is going to maintain that it's four days."
Bevington will be at the ballpark on game days while he's undersuspension. But he has to be off the grounds during the game, so heheaded home to watch on TV.
"I couldn't have mapped it out any better," Nossek said."Terry's the manager and we tried to stay consistent with how hewould have done things."
Bevington was to meet with AL president Gene Budig this morning,but he met him informally at Comiskey Park on Tuesday.
"I feel a lot better about the situation," Bevington saidafterward. "I respect his decision."
Until Bevington returns to the dugout Saturday at Cleveland,Nossek will run the show with assistance from other coaches. Hefilled in for Gene Lamont two seasons ago for one game and won thatone, too.
"Jack McDowell pitched so we had a pretty good chance," Nosseksaid.
The way Righetti (2-0) pitched, the Sox had a good chance inthis one, too. He allowed two runs in seven innings to outduel MarkGubicza (7-9).
"I threw a lot of breaking balls for strikes, changed speeds onthe slider and curveball and kept them off my fastball," saidRighetti (4.74 ERA), who seems to appreciate every waking moment ofhis comeback.
"I know how tough this game can be and I've been through it all,"Righetti, 36, said. "I'm really enjoying this because my wife(Kandice) came to visit today and it was her birthday. I was able togive her a good game."
Righetti allowed a two-run homer to Joe Vitiello - the rookie'ssecond major-league hit - that gave the Royals a 2-0 lead in thesecond inning. An RBI single by Craig Grebeck and a throwing errorby Royals right fielder Phil Hiatt helped the Sox tie at 2-2 in thesecond.
First baseman Dave Martinez (3-for-3) gave the Sox a 3-2 lead withan RBI single in the third and Lance Johnson drove in a run in thefourth with a single.
Righetti, who faced the minimum 12 batters in the third throughsixth innings, got relief help from Kirk McCaskill, Atlee Hammakerand Roberto Hernandez (18th save).
McCaskill got a key double play with two on and no out in theseventh, then departed with a stiff back. Hernandez allowed aleadoff home run to Gary Gaetti in the ninth to make thingsinteresting at the end. But he struck out David Howard to end thegame and convert his sixth consecutive save opportunity.
"I think we all still believe in ourselves," Martinez said."We've got a chance in the wild-card thing. There's a long ways togo."
The Royals (41-44), one of the teams ahead of the Sox, are intown for two more games. Kansas City is 6-16 against left-handersand must face two more in the series.
"I thought we played the poorest game of the season," saidmanager Bob Boone, who ripped his team's hitting, pitching anddefense. "We had a bunch of mistakes. We had poor execution andpoor pitch execution. You won't play like that and get paid in thebig leagues for long."
From where Boone was sitting, Bevington's perch on his livingroom sofa wasn't the worst. BOX SCORE, PAGE 115 BOX SCORE, PAGE 107
Комментариев нет:
Отправить комментарий