ANAHEIM – Pedro Martinez was a no-show at yesterday’s news conference – kind of like his performance down the stretch.
The struggling Boston co-ace, who starts Game 2, declined to participate in the pregame media session that nearly every other starting pitcher goes through during the playoffs.
In his place, Johnny Damon professed confidence in his teammate, who lost his last four starts. Included in that stretch were two meltdowns against the Yanks – one in the eighth inning a la last year’s ALCS Game 7.
“I mean, yes, he struggled down the stretch, but his pitches seem to be OK,” Damon said. “You know, I think he is just playing coy maybe, but he is going to be ready to pitch.
“He’s acting like he doesn’t have much left in the tank, but he has been great down there in the clubhouse. He has been talking, he has been having fun, and he is going to be ready to pitch.”
Damon pointed to the fact Martinez touched 96 mph on the radar gun in Tampa Bay on Sept. 29.
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Righty reliever Curtis Leskanic made Boston’s 25-man roster, while righty reliever Scott Williamson did not. Williamson has been plagued by arm problems this season.
Anaheim manager Mike Scioscia indicated Jose Molina might catch Bartolo Colon tonight.