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By KEVIN KELLY
© St. Petersburg Times, published June 19, 2001
Today: 7:15 p.m., Wednesday: 7:15 p.m., Thursday: 7:15 p.m.
SCOUTING REPORT: The Red Sox have every reason not to be playing well. Nomar Garciaparra and three other shortstops are out. Manny Ramirez is slumping. Pedro Martinez's shoulder is ailing. Half the clubhouse has been sick with flu-like symptoms. But Jimy Williams' team continues to win with solid pitching and timely hitting, staying a couple steps ahead of the second-place Yankees in the AL East.
THE PAST WEEK: Boston won four of six from the Marlins and Braves last week, has won seven straight series and hasn't lost consecutive games since the Yankees beat the Sox on May 23-24.
EX-RAYS: After he was bumped from the rotation during the spring, pitcher Rolando Arrojo filled in Friday when Martinez skipped a start to rest his sore right shoulder. He threw five innings and gave up five hits and two earned runs but did not get the decision. The Rays traded Arrojo, who pitched again Sunday, to Colorado for Vinny Castilla in December 1999, and the Rockies passed him on to Boston last season.
2001 SEASON SERIES: The Red Sox have owned the Rays, sweeping a pair of three-game series by a combined 47-10. Boston held Tampa Bay scoreless for 25 straight innings at one point and holds a 21-19 advantage all-time.
WHO'S HOT: Closer Derek Lowe has a 0.81 ERA in his past 17 relief appearances, going 2-0 with seven saves (2 ER, 22 1/3 IP, 18 H, 18 K).
WHO'S NOT: Though he's still batting .357, Ramirez is 4-for-30 with two RBI in his past nine games.