Damaso

Marte

Tom Gordon is the favorite for saves until Billy Koch turns things around, but Marte could also continue to get his share. His ERA is down to 1.74.

The White Sox closer saga continues. With a one-run lead in the ninth, Tom Gordon came in and got the first out, but he then allowed two hitters to reach base. Marte was brought in to face lefty Frank Catalanotto and got him to hit into a game-ending double play. Although Gordon seems to be manager Jerry Manuel’s top choice in the ninth inning, Marte could be good for five more saves. Former closer Billy Koch also pitched on Wednesday, allowing one run in two-thirds of an inning.

It was pretty much a given, anyway. Marte, now 36 years old, didn’t throw a pitch in the major leagues last season following shoulder surgery.

It’s just the second time since Opening Day that Marte has been scored on. With Billy Koch pitching well, Marte’s value has been declining. Still, the lefty is worth owning in most leagues.

Manager Ozzie Guillen was uncertain whether his left-handed reliever would rejoin the White Sox on Tuesday in Kansas City.

We initially thought it was surprising that manager Ozzie Guillen would throw Marte into a 1-1 game in the ninth inning in his first day back with the team. But then we remembered it was the Twins he was facing. No risk there.

A decision will be made Wednesday on what the Sox want to do with Marte. He might be put on the disabled list for now and it is doubtful he will return pitch again until 2006. Marte drew manager Ozzie Guillen’s ire for being late for the game on Sunday, amongst other things.

He has been away since he complained of a sore neck and then showed up late to the ballpark Sunday. ''If I don’t see Marte mentally prepared to do this, that means we were wasting our time,’' manager Ozzie Guillen said. ''When a guy says, ‘I’m not mentally prepared to do this,’ I’m not going to count on him.’'

Whatever he said must have worked, because Marte was pitching in a 1-1 game last night. ''It’s not easy when you stand up in the middle of the room and tell people you’re sorry and how bad you feel about it,’' manager Ozzie Guillen said. ''I think this kid made the right move and the right decision.’'

Maybe. Manager Ozzie Guillen didn’t sound excited about the idea of getting the left-hander back. ''If Marte’s not ready to help this team, he can have a nice trip to the Dominican Republic by himself,’' Guillen said.