``He doesn't necessarily have a lot of different types of pitches, but he's somebody that you would call a prototypical power pitcher,'' Saito said. ``The hitters are waiting for the fastball and he throws the fastball and somehow he gets those outs. As a pitcher myself, it's a pitching style that I'm a little bit envious of.''

This was a test, because the Angels are no slow-footed base cloggers. For George Kottaras, that meant added pressure in his first major league start last night. Not only was he still getting used to being Tim Wakefield's backstop, but he had to worry about the Angels on the basepaths. For good reason - the Angels went 3 for 3 on steals against Kottaras in the first inning.

``I think a lot of people change their approach when he's on the mound,'' Kottaras said. ``He holds runners on, he's quick to the plate. It's anticipating them going, but at the same time, I'm staying within myself. There's only so much one can do, and I've got to stay within myself and not try to do too much.''

Especially in one's major league debut, of which manager Terry Francona said before the game, ``I bet you his heart's beating now. I would hope so.''

Wakefield and Kottaras are getting more comfortable with each other each time they work together. It's hard to feel good behind the plate with a knuckleballer on the mound, but Kottaras is getting there.

``Slowly but surely, it's going in the right direction, as far as comfort level,'' Kottaras said. ``I think at the same time, it's something where it's a little unpredictable so you can't get too comfortable. You always have to be on your feet, focused. Just react.''

Kottaras has been working with the other pitchers, as well, coming early to catch bullpen sessions. It's likely that he might catch more day games after night games than other Sox backup catchers have in the past.

At his request, David Ortiz met with the father of Nick Adenhart, the Angels pitcher who was killed in a car accident early Thursday morning, the Riverside Press-Enterprise reported. Ortiz spent five minutes in the tunnel below home plate with Jim Adenhart.

``I look at my son and I'm like `I would die if I lose him,' '' Ortiz told the Press-Enterprise. ``And I just give him my prayer.''

Ortiz, according to the paper, watched on television with his son, D'Angelo, as Adenhart threw five scoreless innings Wednesday night.

``I was talking to my boy, telling him, `Wow, look at this kid. Anaheim is lucky to have this good pitcher.'

``When I heard [Adenhart had died], it felt like I knew him forever.''