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Gives up 3 home runs in 8-7 loss to Red Sox

Sunday, March 02, 2003

By Robert Dvorchak, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Josh Fogg gave the answer before he was asked the question.

"I said it last year a bunch, too. When I keep the ball down I'm effective. When I'm up in the zone, I get hit hard. I got three or four pitches up in the zone today," said Fogg, who confessed to having some pregame performance anxiety. "It felt great to be out on the mound competing again. The results weren't what I was looking for."

In his first start this spring, Fogg gave up six hits -- three of them home runs -- in two innings and the Boston Red Sox held on for an 8-7 win against the Pirates, who had 13 hits yesterday.

"I'm not going to worry about this outing in the least bit," Fogg said. "I'm going to start from square one. I'm just going to attack the zone down. If I miss, I'm going to miss in the dirt."

After Fogg, Jeff Suppan made his first appearance for the Pirates, allowing two runs and two hits in two innings.

"I made some good pitches," Suppan said.

"I still have a ways to go on my command. There are some things I have to work on."

Kendall takes lead

Jason Kendall, leading off for the second time in as many starts, had a triple among his three hits, drove in a run and scored a run in five innings. Outfielder Adam Hyzdu had a solo home run and a single.

Shortstop Jack Wilson was hit by a pitch in the second inning and removed from the game as a precaution. He was hit just above the left elbow. He might be held out of the game today, although he said he's ready to play.

"I just didn't want to take a chance with the swelling," Pirates Manager Lloyd McClendon said.

Signing time

The Pirates have reached agreement on one-year contracts with pitcher Dave Williams, Hyzdu, reliever Duaner Sanchez and shortstop Jose Castillo.

All "zero to three" players, those who don't have enough major-league time to be eligible for arbitration, or players who have not signed long-term deals must be signed by tomorrow or they will have their contract renewed by the team. The group includes Jack Wilson, Craig Wilson, Rob Mackowiak, Kip Wells, Fogg, Mike Lincoln, Joe Beimel, Salomon Torres, Carlos Rivera and Humberto Cota.

The players' salaries are controlled by the team and technically they could be paid the minimum.

But General Manager Dave Littlefield has created a scale based on performance, playing time and years of service in which he tries to be fair and smart about how much over the minimum the players in question will be paid.

Torres to start

Salomon Torres will start today's game against the Reds. He will be followed by Mike Gonzalez, Ariel Prieto and Mike Williams.