Performance spoke volumes

CLEVELAND -- When Matt Lawton homered on Pedro Martinez's first pitch last night and the Indians pushed across two first-inning runs, it was easy to envision a debate instantly breaking out back home on whether the Sox should re-sign their longtime ace after this season.

Martinez silenced the no votes in that discussion, at least temporarily, by shutting out the Indians the next six innings as his teammates rallied against the young Indians' ace, C.C. Sabathia, for a 5-2 win, running Martinez's record to 4-2.

And if both sides are to be believed, the Red Sox and Martinez would prefer any further discussion of Martinez's contract be tabled until after the season.

Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein yesterday adhered to his policy of not discussing negotiations publicly, other than to say the club strongly disputed some of the specifics cited in a Globe column yesterday in which a source with direct knowledge of the negotiations discussed the terms of Martinez's dealings with the team, as well as those of potential free agents Derek Lowe and Jason Varitek.

But it would be counterproductive, Epstein said, to engage in a public airing of the particulars of the negotiations, other than to say the club still looks forward to resuming discussions after the season in hopes of striking deals with at least some of the Big Four.

Meanwhile, Martinez's agent, Fernando Cuza, also said it was regrettable that Martinez's remarks last Friday in Texas were taken to mean he intended to leave after the season. "What Pedro said did not come out the way it was intended," Cuza insisted. "Negotiations during the season can be very distracting for both a player and his teammates, and after giving the club an extra month, Pedro decided it was best to stop talks now.

"But it is our intention to talk again with the Red Sox after the season in hopes of getting a deal done. If we can't, then Pedro will file for free agency."