The Sox are still talking to the Marlins about a possible trade for outfielder Cliff Floyd, who presumably would serve primarily as a designated hitter. They have yet to offer a package that would entice the Marlins. Floyd is batting .294 with 18 homers, 56 RBIs, and an on-base percentage of .418... Sox pitchers combined for the best ERA (3.59) in the league through the first 81 games, but team officials have said they believe they need more pitching to improve their postseason chances. Little said the return of Dustin Hermanson(groin) could help and he cited the possibility of Casey Fossum returning from Triple A Pawtucket as a starter. But if the Sox can land another front-line pitcher, Little wouldn't beef. ''I like our pitching,'' he said. ''It's been doing such a good job for us all year long, but I guess there's always room for improvement. Any time we have a chance to make it better, I'm sure we will.'' Little said he also expects Rolando Arrojo to help in the second half. Arrojo, who went on the 15-day disabled list June 24 with tendinitis in his right shoulder, is home resting in St. Petersburg, Fla. He has not progressed beyond playing toss, and the club has no timetable for his possible return ... Little tapped Sun Woo Kim to start the finale of the 14-game homestand Sunday against Adam Bernero of the Tigers. He said he went with Kim over Tim Wakefield, who was 2-0 with a 2.13 ERA last year against Detroit, largely because he needs the knuckleballer in the bullpen but also because Kim pitched impressively in his last outing. ''He has earned the right to start again,'' Little said. Kim is 0-1 against the Tigers in his career with an 8.64 ERA.
Already a hit
Lefthander Alan Embree, who pitched 1 1/3 hitless innings, has not allowed a hit over 6 1/3 innings in seven appearances since he joined the Sox. He has retired 19 batters and allowed three walks. Embree has gone 24 2/3 innings over 26 relief appearances dating to his time in San Diego without allowing an earned run ... Nomar Garciaparra(2 for 4 with a double, two-run homer, and a sacrifice fly) matched a season high with four RBIs and extended his hitting streak to seven games ... The Sox are 19-0 when Johnny Damon scores two or more runs and are 36-6 when he scores at least one run ... Since Shea Hillenbrand(1 for 5 with a run scored) last drew a walk May 24, he has hit .253 and his average has dropped from .333 to .297. He has hit four homers and driven in 16 runs over the 37 games ... Manny Ramirez(0 for 3 with a run scored) has yet to muster an extra-base hit as he has batted .229 (8 for 35) since he returned from the disabled list. He said he has not been asked to participate in the home run derby during the All-Star festivities ... Lou Merloni said he aggravated a sore right ankle when he was upended by Vernon Wells while turning a double play in the second inning. After he went down hard again when Ken Huckaby took him out in the fourth inning, Merloni was replaced in the fifth by Bryant Nelson. An X-ray on Merloni's ankle was negative. He said his status was day to day
