Epstein denies Johnson report

Calling it "Internet BS," general manager Theo Epstein vehemently denied the latest round of Randy Johnson rumors -- Bob Lobel said on the Boston Globe SportsPlus show, which aired after last night's game, that Epstein planned to go to Houston next week to sell Johnson at the All-Star Game on the idea of waiving his no-trade clause in order to come to Boston. Lobel also reported that Shonda Schilling, wife of Sox pitcher Curt Schilling, intended to lobby Johnson's wife, Lisa, on coming to Boston.

Any direct contact between the Sox GM and the Arizona Diamondbacks lefthander, without the permission of Major League Baseball, would constitute tampering, one reason Epstein would be particularly sensitive to the report. Baseball commissioner Bud Selig was away on business yesterday, but a high-ranking MLB executive said Selig had not been approached about Johnson, and before any contact could take place, Selig would have to be informed.

"There's nothing going on with Randy Johnson, zero," said an agitated Epstein, who also refuted the Johnson report on NESN's pregame show in strong terms.

Johnson's agent, Alan Nero, also said he had no knowledge that the Sox had permission to talk to his client. "I would expect to hear anything like that," Nero said, "but anything is possible."

In Los Angeles, where the Diamondbacks were playing the Dodgers last night, Johnson talked for about 15 minutes with Arizona GM Joe Garagiola Jr., but told reporters the Red Sox were not the topic of conversation.

Numerous teams, including the Red Sox and Yankees, have inquired about Johnson's availability, but to this point have been told that neither the Diamondbacks nor Johnson had any interest in a trade. Johnson's permission would be required for any deal to be made.

Last week, Diamondbacks owner Jerry Colangelo told reporters that both the team and Johnson preferred that he return next season, but that if Johnson had interest in a trade, the Diamondbacks would listen to him. Asked yesterday if anything had changed since last week, Garagiola told reporters, "I guess not."

In a market devoid of premium starting pitchers, Johnson, 40, a five-time Cy Young Award winner, represents the biggest prize, especially with the Diamondbacks in last place in the National League West. But Johnson's year-round home is in Arizona, and as the team's lone gate attraction, there are compelling reasons why the Diamondbacks would want him to return next season.

Johnson is under contract next season for $15 million.

Election day
Leave it to a Yankee to end the Sox' two-year run (Johnny Damon and Jason Varitek) of providing the final player on the American League All-Star roster, as decided by Internet fan voting.

Outfielder Hideki Matsui became the seventh Yankee to join the AL roster, earning more votes than Minnesota's Lew Ford, Cleveland's Travis Hafner, and Frank Thomas and Paul Konerko of the White Sox.

The final National League spot went to Philadelphia outfielder Bobby Abreu. Arizona's Steve Finley, Pittsburgh's Jason Kendall, Florida's Juan Pierre, and the Cubs' Aramis Ramirez also were in consideration.

Toughing it out
Damon put a scare into the Sox in the third inning when he fouled a ball off his right foot, much like he did in the season's first week, when he was sidelined for a few games. Damon, however, remained in the game, and had a two-run single in the sixth. Damon's run-scoring single in the second was the 1,500th hit of his career . . . More milestones: Nomar Garciaparra's home run in the second was the 500th extra-base hit of his career, leaving him seventh on the Sox' all-time list. Carl Yastrzemski has the franchise record with 1,157 extra-base hits. Garciaparra's double in the third was his 276th, placing him eighth on the Sox' all-time list, passing Mike Greenwell . . . Manager Terry Francona said Gabe Kapler started in place of Trot Nixon in right field because of his good numbers against Mark Redman (3 for 4, a home run). Nixon, despite ramming his knee into the outfield wall the night before, took batting practice and could have played, Francona said . . . Francona laughed off reports that A's manager Ken Macha and pitcher Barry Zito noted that the Sox seemed to know in advance what Zito was throwing, with Macha even mentioning that televisions previously had been removed from the Sox' bullpen. "We had a couple of beers together last night," said Francona, who was Macha's bench coach last season, "and he never mentioned that." . . . Pokey Reese, a late-inning replacement for Garciaparra at shortstop, will play tonight, Francona said. Reese did not start either of the first two games of the homestand, but Francona insisted that had nothing to do with the sprained thumb Reese sustained June 29. Reese is only 1 for 16 since getting hurt . . . Ramiro Mendoza allowed one run on five hits in 1 2/3 innings last night on his rehab assignment in Pawtucket. Mendoza threw 36 pitches, 25 strikes . . . Ellis Burks's knee surgery is scheduled for today.

Material from Associated Press was used in this report.