PHILADELPHIA Red Sox go with Pedro
The Boston pitcher will face the Phillies in today's series opener.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Rain knocked out the series opener between the Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies on Friday night. It had no effect on Pedro Martinez's scheduled start.
Martinez will pitch on his regular day when the shortened series begins this afternoon. Martinez (4-2) will face Randy Wolf.
Wolf (8-3) was scheduled to pitch Friday's game against Byung-Hyun Kim. Kim (1-0) will go up against Brett Myers (5-6) on Sunday in the finale of the two-game series.
"Pedro's been on a program, and we feel it's best he sticks to it," Boston manager Grady Little said. "Kim can wait another day, he'll be fine. It's just important for Pedro to stay with this program."
The rained-out game will be made up on Labor Day -- Sept. 1 -- previously an off day for both teams. It will begin at 1 p.m.
Crowd pleaser
The Phillies were expecting a crowd in excess of 45,000 on Friday night largely because of the rare appearance by the Red Sox and a Mike Schmidt bobblehead giveaway.
Those holding tickets for Friday's game can use them on Sept. 1, when the Schmidt bobbleheads will be distributed.
Martinez will be on the mound Saturday for his third start since returning from the disabled list on June 11. He was held to a pitch count in his previous two outings as he recovered from a strained muscle under his right arm. He didn't record a decision in either game, but posted an ERA of 1.00 in nine innings.
Rain might cause more problems on Saturday since that forecast isn't promising, either.
If Saturday's game can't be played, the Phillies said that Veterans Stadium would hold its first day-night doubleheader on Sunday. The Phillies are expecting an even bigger crowd for Sunday's contest when Steve Carlton bobbleheads will be distributed.
Little was disappointed not to play on Friday since the Red Sox arrived in Philadelphia fresh off a 4-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Thursday.
"We hate to miss a game," he said. "We're coming off a big win and I like the way things are going."
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