AMERICAN LEAGUE: INSIDE THE A.L.: BOSTON'S FIRST LOOK AT CHAVEZ RAVINE.

Byline: Joe Haakenson Staff Writer

The Boston Red Sox have been around forever, but this weekend's visit to Dodger Stadium is their first. And at least one visitor following the Sox is impressed with Dodger Stadium, even if it isn't one of the ``new'' ballparks.

Boston Globe columnist Michael Holley wrote: ``The place is beautiful. The seats are red and orange and blue and yellow. The field looks as if it were taken from a painter's easel. The park rests on a hill, so after watching a game, you can capture a view of downtown L.A. while walking to your car.

``I have nothing against the new parks, but they're not as regal as Chavez Ravine. They don't inspire you to close your eyes and think of the ceremony that was once held here, a ceremony honoring the original Duke, Koufax, and Jackie Robinson. They don't inspire you to think of the serene Walter Alston holding his seat in the dugout. Or the bombastic Tommy Lasorda leaping from his. Most of the new places weren't privately funded, as Dodger Stadium was. Most of them can't seamlessly blend baseball's old world with its new one.''

Red Sox pitcher and former Dodger Pedro Martinez got a chance to pitch there once upon a time, and hasn't forgotten.

``It is a beautiful, beautiful place,'' Martinez said. ``It's just about perfect.''

--Tenth man: When Oakland A's manager Art Howe made out his lineup Friday night in Cincinnati, he had left-handed-hitting John Mabry on the bench and right-handed-hitting Adam Piatt in the outfield.

Even though Piatt has been slumping, he didn't want to put Mabry in the lineup and have too many left-handed hitters bunched up together, anticipating the Reds going to left-handed reliever Gabe White sometime in the game.

But Howe changed his lineup and replaced Piatt with Mabry after David Feldman, a statistician and producer for a Bay Area television station on the road with the team, informed Howe that White was in the hospital. White has an infection in his hand, believed to be caused by an insect bite.

Mabry took advantage of his opportunity, hitting a two-run homer in the eighth inning that keyed the A's 5-2 win.

--Setback for Edgar: Seattle Mariners designated hitter Edgar Martinez flew to Dallas on Saturday to have his left knee examined by Dr. John Conway, the same doctor who performed surgery on Martinez in April to repair a ruptured hamstring.

Martinez had been back for only five games when he hurt his knee on a check swing Thursday in Cincinnati.

--Interleague dominance: The A's went into Saturday's game against the Reds a major-league-best 12-1 in interleague games. It probably has more to do with the A's getting hot at the time interleague play began than a dominance over the National League. Either way, the A's will take it.

``I think we need to go to the NL,'' A's closer Billy Koch said.

--Mile-high blues: The New York Yankees won two of three at Coors Field in Colorado this week, but getting out of Denver couldn't come soon enough for two of their players.

Outfielder Shane Spencer and reliever Ramiro Mendoza played well during the series despite experiencing bloody noses from the high altitude.