Happy Hinske off to hot start

BOSTON &

Four seasons ago Eric Hinske began his career with a two-hit three-RBI day off Pedro Martinez at Fenway Park. Understandably he ranks the day as one of his greatest memories in baseball.

Yesterday however sure gave it a run at the top.

After three seasons of injury and idleness in Toronto Hinske quickly showed some appreciation to his new team doubling in his first three at-bats and showing the versatility for which he was acquired.

"I don't even really know what to say" Hinske said between games yesterday. "I can't believe all these cameras are in my face right now."

After winning the 2002 Rookie of the Year award with the Blue Jays the now 29-year-old broke the hamate bone in his left hand &

the same injury Wily Mo Pena suffered this year &

and never again found consistent playing time. Despite totaling 45 doubles in 124 games in 2003 Toronto continually brought in other players for the corner positions be it Corey Koskie Lyle Overbay Shea Hillenbrand or Troy Glaus.

"This year I was going to platoon with (Alex) Rios (in right field) then he started off so hot. I kinda got lost in the shuffle" Hinske said. "I just wanted to act professional. I wasn't trying to cause any waves there or anything. Just wanted to sort of check my ego at the door and do whatever I could to help the team win."

He proved an ability to do that in his first day with his new team.

Facing Chien-Ming Wang whom he entered the game 6-for-11 (.545) against Hinske had his first three-double day in Game — since last Sept. 29 when he did it for Toronto at Fenway.The performance saw him lifted from seventh to fifth in the batting order for the nightcap along with moving from right field to first base where GM Theo Epstein said he's likely to see the most time.

Sponsor Ad"Boy he swung the bat well. If we can get a left-handed bat that's going to give us a little bit of a boost like that that's great" manager Terry Francona said. "He was on a lot of pitches today with authority. That should give us a boost."

His defense has never made accolades and was aptly touch-and-go yesterday. Making a catch with his back to the right-field wall to start the sixth he lost one fly in the sun during the never-ending ninth.

Yet for someone who spoke so much about having fun on the baseball field again beforehand four ovations shows Hinske's well on his way to having the Fenway faithful feel about him the way he does about them.

"I just look at it as a fresh start for me" he said. "As baseball players you all wish you could be a part of (Red Sox-Yankees) and I'm a part of it now and it's awesome."

FLIPPING FOR FOULKE

Keith Foulke's return from the disabled list finally came between games last night at the expense of Jason Johnson who leaves Boston for perhaps the last time after one of his better outings.

"There's some extenuating circumstances. It wasn't a lot of fun to do" Francona said of designating yesterday's Game — starter. "We don't take any enjoyment in doing that but I'm not sure we had any options."

Johnson who told Francona he wanted to speak with his agent before accepting a demotion to the minors is 0-4 with a 7.36 ERA in six starts since Cleveland designated him for assignment June 21.

Foulke meanwhile hasn't pitched in Boston since June 11 thanks to both elbow tendonitis and chronic back pain. He said stronger medication finally helped his back loosen earlier this week.

"Knowing what I know about this series I don't think there's going to be a whole lot of easing into anything" Foulke said. "I'm going to go out there and do whatever I need to do. Tight ballgame good. Blowout one way or another good. I just want to be pitching."

Francona said the former closer has been tweaking his mechanics for weeks and while Foulke said he's comfortable with how his arm feels he won't know whether his motion holds up until he's facing big-league batters again.

"It's really hard to duplicate anything until you get out there on the mound. That's when you figure everything out" Foulke said. "You don't really worry about the hitter. I go out there and throw to my strengths and see what happens."

Francona reiterated his desire to pair Foulke against mostly lefties despite the 33-year-old having far better numbers (.339 average against vs. .222) against right-handers in 2006.

ON THE YANKEE SIDE

Though their performances had Joe Torre not needing to worry about taxing his bullpen New York entered the series carrying 13 pitchers after replacing the disabled Andy Phillips with reliever Bryan Bruney.

While not an optimal choice Torre took solace in the move helping him cushion the workload on closer Mariano Rivera.

"You don't want to take a chance on having this weekend taking on more significance than it should" Torre said. "The other guys are going to have to pick it up. In Mariano's case we have to make sure we don't lose sight of what's best for him."

Jon Couture covers the Red Sox for The Standard-Times. E-mail him at

Date of Publication August 19 2006 on Page C05