July 30, 2001

By JOSH DUBOW
AP Sports Writer

Nomar Garciaparra quickly put to rest any questions about whether his right wrist had healed.

Garciaparra made a triumphant return to the Red Sox, hitting a homer and a go-ahead two-run single to lead the Boston Red Sox to a 4-3 win over the Chicago White Sox on Sunday.

"The wrist feels good," Garciaparra said. "I don't think I'm going to feel any pain right now, that's for sure."

The two-time defending AL batting champion showed no ill effects from the operation he underwent on opening day and provided yet another boost to Boston's playoff hopes.

The shortstop was the third key Boston player to return in three days. Bret Saberhagen was outstanding in his first game in nearly 22 months Friday, and center fielder Carl Everett missed 32 games with a knee injury before starting Saturday.

But Garciaparra may be the most important as the Red Sox try to climb back from a season-high 3{-game deficit in the AL East behind the Yankees.

"I had goosebumps," Garciaparra said. "Hopefully, the team gets a boost, but we know we need everybody and today it wasn't just me."