Saberhagen Falls Flat Once Again

MONTREAL — Boston Red Sox pitcher Bret Saberhagen, who missed almost two seasons with a shoulder injury, still hasn’t recovered.

Saberhagen, making his third start after missing almost two seasons following shoulder surgery, allowed five runs and seven hits in four innings as the Red Sox lost to the Montreal Expos, 6-5, Tuesday night.

“It’s frustrating to go out there and get hit around,” said Saberhagen, 0-2 with a 8.25 ERA since returning to action. “I don’t think anybody likes to get banged around like I’ve been in the last three games.”

Henry Rodriguez, who missed his previous 19 games with a strained ribcage muscle, showed the Expos just how much they need him.

Rodriguez’s second home run of the game, a solo shot in the eighth inning, snapped a 5-5 tie.

“Henry said he was ready and I guess he was,” Expo Manager Felipe Alou said. “That bat was missing from our lineup for a long time.”

Rodriguez, who leads the Expos with 26 homers and 77 RBIs but hadn’t played since Aug. 12, hit a two-out homer off Mark Brandenberg (0-2) as Montreal improved to 11-3 in interleague play.

“I feel pretty good. I’ve been taking batting practice for the last 5-6 days,” said Rodriguez. “The first at-bat was a little scary because I felt (the ribcage muscle) pull again. It got loose after that and I figured I could swing a little harder.”