Ron Karkovice was out of action Saturday after straining his right hamstring running to first base Friday night.
Nelson Santovenia was recalled from Triple-A Vancouver, and right-hander Brian Drahman was sent down to make room.
The seriousness of Karkovice`s injury couldn`t be determined. That will take another day or two. But hamstring injuries are notoriously stubborn. Dan Pasqua, just back off the disabled list from his own hamstring problems, was a late scratch Saturday because of recurring tenderness.
Back up: Nelson Santovenia was 0 for 1 at Vancouver Friday night, a called strikeout, when he got word in midgame to pack his bags for Boston.
”I was looking forward to getting my second at-bat,” said Santovenia, batting .243 in Triple-A. ”That`s the first time that ever happened to me. That`s how they called up Estie (Esteban Beltre).”
Pain: No one felt worse about Bobby Thigpen`s blown save Friday night than Thigpen. Bob Zupcic`s eighth-inning slam put Boston up 5-2; the Sox tied it in the ninth, then lost it, with Terry Leach pitching, in the bottom of the inning.
Before Friday, Thigpen had gone 14 straight appearances without giving up an earned run and had given up just one homer all year. He`d never given up one at Fenway.
”You throw good, you throw good, you throw good-and all of a sudden, bang,” Thigpen said. ”After going so good for so long.
”It just happens.”
