All those runs add up to only one loss

CHICAGO -- The last time the Red Sox lost by a double-digit margin in a postseason game, they then reeled off eight consecutive wins, rolling to a World Series title.

''That was a long time ago," Terry Francona said yesterday. ''It's a different team. I've said so many times, in other questions, that last year doesn't matter. What matters to this team is how we bounce back. Last year is a different team, different scenario. Everything is different."

Including the margin of defeat. The Sox lost, in a gruesome manner, 19-8, in Game 3 of last year's American League Championship Series. Yesterday's, however, was the worst postseason loss in club history, the measuring stick being margin of defeat.

''It doesn't matter whether it was one run or 20," said captain Jason Varitek following yesterday's 14-2 unraveling. ''It's not over."

Said Johnny Damon: ''We know we got roughed up, but we know we're going to come out and be as solid as we can [today]."

The team places its faith in a 42-year-old lefthander who is the oldest player ever to start a postseason game for the Red Sox.

''You've got David Wells going," Kevin Millar said, ''in what's basically a must win."

Streaking no more

Manny Ramirez went hitless, grounding out three times and hitting into a fielder's choice, halting his postseason hitting streak at a record-tying 17 games.

Ramirez hit safely in the last three games of the 2004 ALCS and all 14 games last season, tying Hank Bauer (1956-58) and Derek Jeter (1998-99) for the all-time record. Ramirez batted .329 (24 for 73) in those 17 games with 3 homers and 12 RBIs.

David Ortiz, meanwhile, went 2 for 4 but did not drive in any runs.

''You have those guys in the lineup, and you pray for the best," said Chicago manager Ozzie Guillen.

A running theme

Scott Podsednik (56 steals this season) stole third and scored the White Sox' first run, then was caught stealing in the second inning. The White Sox received significant attention for leading the league with 137 stolen bases in the regular season (Boston stole just 45). A lesser-known fact: The White Sox allowed opponents to steal 103 times in 128 attempts (80 percent). Red Sox opponents succeeded 75 percent of the time (88 steals in 117 attempts) . . . Yesterday's loss ended a string of six straight Boston wins in ALDS games. They fell behind two games to none before beating Oakland in five games in 2003, then swept the Angels last season . . . The Sox allowed as many runs through six innings yesterday (12) as they allowed in all four games of the World Series last October . . . The White Sox outscored the Sox, 5-0, in the first inning yesterday and outscored opponents, 121-68, in first innings this season.

First things first

Francona opted for Millar over John Olerud against righthander Jose Contreras. Millar's history vs. Contreras (5 for 10, 2 HRs) simplified the decision. Millar went 1 for 3 with a double before giving way to Olerud, who pinch hit and doubled off the wall in left-center in the ninth inning off righty reliever Cliff Politte. Today's decision figures to be more difficult. Millar is 1 for 18 career vs. Mark Buehrle, while Olerud is 1 for 11. ''Millar-Olerud will probably be something that goes back and forth during the series," Francona said. ''We're just trying to get as much production out of that position as we can." . . . Chicago's five-run first tied for the second-highest-scoring inning in the team's postseason history. The White Sox scored seven in the third inning of Game 1 of the 1959 World Series and five in Game 2 of the 1917 World Series and Game 3 of the 1993 ALCS . . . Umpire Larry Vanover (back pain) was replaced before the game by Mark Carlson. Carlson worked third base, while Bill Miller, initially scheduled for third, handled first base . . . No Sports Illustrated writer has a vote in the actual American League MVP balloting, but the magazine's senior baseball writer, Tom Verducci, chose Alex Rodriguez over Ortiz . . . Matt Clement and Jeremi Gonzalez combined to hit three batters, and two scored. That helps explain how Chicago scored 14 runs on 11 hits . . . The forecast for Game 2 is a bit more dreary than the sunny skies for the opener. There is a 40 percent chance of rain for the first pitch (6 p.m. local time), with the chance increasing to 50 percent throughout the game. The temperature will be near 80 at game time, dropping quickly to 69. The same weather system over Chicago could reach Fenway for Friday's Game 3.