BoSox's 17 Runs Rout ChiSox

With Pedro Martinez on the mound, the Boston Red Sox don't need to score many runs to win. On Saturday, they scored more than enough in the first inning.

Backed by an 11-run first, Martinez cruised to his major league-leading 14th victory Saturday as the Red Sox routed the Chicago White Sox 17-1.

Nomar Garciaparra had two homers and five RBIs for the Red Sox, who scored their most runs since a 17-1 victory over Texas on Aug. 5, 1997. Brian Daubach homered and drove in four runs, and Jason Varitek homered and had three RBIs for Boston.

Mike Stanley also homered for the Red Sox, who have won seven of their last eight. Boston's five homers tied a season high.

It was Boston's biggest first inning since Aug. 13, 1933 against the Philadelphia Athletics, when the Red Sox also scored 11 runs. It was their biggest inning overall since scoring 11 in the third against the New York Yankees on May 31, 1998.

Martinez (14-2), who was beaten by the White Sox 4-0 on April 15, gave up one run and three hits in five innings. He also struck out four, raising his league-leading total to 165.

"Usually if we get a couple of runs for him, it's enough for the game," Daubach said. "With Pedro pitching, you like your chances after an inning like that."

Martinez didn't speak to reporters following the game, but left a handwritten note on a clubhouse cabinet that said: "I felt good today, physically and mentally. The day belongs to my teammates for their offensive production."

John Wasdin finished with four hitless innings for his second save.

Chicago starter James Baldwin (3-8) gave up seven runs and six hits in the first before being replaced with two outs by Scott Eyre. Baldwin has lost his last four starts.

"It was not a good performance by Baldwin. Tomorrow we will use him in the bullpen," White Sox manager Jerry Manuel said. "It is getting frustrating.">

It was the most runs against the White Sox since April 2, 1998, when they lost 20-4 to Texas.

Jose Offerman opened the first with a double, Lou Merloni singled and Daubach then homered for the second straight day to put Boston ahead 3-0.

With one out, Troy O'Leary singled, Stanley doubled and Varitek doubled to make it 5-0. Baldwin got one more out but was pulled after walking Trot Nixon. Eyre then walked Offerman to load the bases and Merloni followed with a three-run double to make it 8-0.

Daubach's RBI single made it 9-0 and Garciaparra finished the first-inning barrage with a two-run homer.

"It's nice that we went out there and and got some runs for Pedro," Garciaparra said. "A lot of people will take their chances with that."

Garciaparra, who returned to the lineup after missing two games with a strained left groin, hit a three-run homer in the third to give Boston a 14-0 lead. Stanley and Varitek added back-to-back homers in the fourth.

Every Red Sox starter got a hit or scored a run except Darren Lewis. Boston had 14 hits overall.

Chris Singleton homered in the second for Chicago's only run.

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