BOSTON (AP) – The scheduled game between Boston and Toronto was postponed by rain Monday night, forcing the Red Sox to play a day-night doubleheader and alter their pitching rotation in the middle of a tight pennant race.

The game will be made up today at 1:05 p.m., and the teams will play again at 7:05 p.m. as scheduled.

With Curt Schilling’s start washed out Monday, Red Sox manager Terry Francona decided to go with knuckleballer Tim Wakefield (15-11) in the opener today, a move made easier by Wakefield’s ability to come back on short rest. Schilling (7-8) is scheduled to pitch the night game.

“We’re doing it now for obvious reasons, rest,” Francona said. “We’re trying to take whatever happens and make it to our advantage.”

The Red Sox, who entered Monday tied with New York atop the AL East with seven games to go, subsequently changed plans for a potential showdown series at Fenway Park this weekend against the Yankees. Schilling was pushed back from Saturday to Sunday to allow for his normal four days of rest. Wakefield is scheduled for Saturday.

Toronto manager John Gibbons will go with the same order of starters today that were scheduled for the first two games of the series: David Bush (5-10) in the opener and Gustavo Chacin (12-9) in the nightcap. Bush is 0-2 with an 11.70 ERA in three starts against the Red Sox this season.

Francona was happy the game was called early and Schilling wasn’t forced to warm up a few times. The tarp was never taken off the field, and the postponement was announced by team officials approximately 35 minutes after the scheduled starting time.

“Oh yeah, that’s huge,” Francona said. “That was something we wanted to stay away from. That gets you in a tough situation – up and down, pitch, don’t pitch. He’ll pitch tomorrow and it’s fairly normal, just like having an extra day.”

Toronto has been one of Boston’s toughest opponents this season, winning nine of 14 meetings. The Red Sox play the Blue Jays on Wednesday and Thursday before the highly anticipated three-game series against the Yankees opens Friday night.

“I’ve never been involved in a pennant race, but I think it increases the pressure on them,” Blue Jays first baseman Shea Hillenbrand said. “It’s tough to win two games in one day. We’re feeling good and we’re ready to take on the Red Sox.”

After Francona met the media and explained the change in plans, most of the players were gone from the clubhouse.

“I don’t think it affects us in any way,” Red Sox reliever Mike Myers said. “We’ve still got the same guys going in Game 1 and Game 2. I know history says it’s harder to win a doubleheader, but with what we’re going for I don’t think it’ll affect anything.”

Tickets from Monday’s rainout will be honored for the day game Tuesday.

Schilling, Boston’s postseason star after pitching Game 6 of the AL championship series and Game 2 of the World Series following surgical procedures that sutured a tendon to skin in his right ankle, could be going with a playoff berth on the line Sunday.

“For Curt to have the opportunity, it’s great to have him out there,” Myers said.

AP-ES-09-26-05 2134EDT


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.