BOSTON -- One by one, the Yankees nodded their approval, uttering quiet words of respect. They'd just witnessed a miniature Pedro Martinez classic -- seven innings, four hits, 10 strikeouts -- which was more than enough for the Bombers to concede America's most famous rotator cuff was indeed healthy again.

	“	He always seemed to have the hammer. We know how great he is. Pedro has so many weapons, it's very tough to hit against him unless you have a plan; you almost have to give up something. ”
		— Yankees manager Joe Torre on Pedro Martinez

"He's definitely back to where he was last year, when he was unhittable," is how Jason Giambi put it after Martinez beat the Yankees, 3-1 at Fenway on Thursday night. It was a small step for the Red Sox, who've beaten the Bombers 4-of-5 times since Opening Day, but a more significant step forward for Pedro.

He is, after all, the most important member of the Red Sox Nation, and the sole bridge to the October promised land. Pedro is 7-0 for the first time with the Red Sox and the first time since 1997, which means the man is, once again, The Man.

Indeed, the Yankee' advance scouting reports indicated Martinez's rebirth, slow and steady since April, was finally gaining momentum. He'd struck out 21 batters in his last 16 innings in back-to-back starts against the Mariners, and not only was Pedro delivering 92-95 mph heat -- even topping out at 99-mph on one pitch last week -- he was also throwing strikes with his changeup and breaking pitches, too.

That's bad news for the Yankees, or anyone else hoping the Sox will simply evaporate this summer. When Giambi says, "there's no doubt they're for real," he's talking about a Pedro-led charge not just through this weekend's four-game series but through the long summer, as well.

Both the Yankees and Red Sox know the East will be won in July's dreariest series and the early August dog days, not just in September. That's when the Yankees will learn if David Wells' back can handle his own post-surgery trauma, and whether Orlando Hernandez and Andy Pettitte, both on the disabled list now, can be counted on for the pennant race.

Same goes for the Red Sox, who know Pedro's fastball is back, but still don't know for how long. So they live one series at a time, even one game at a time. That was no problem on Thursday, since the Sox had lost two straight and Martinez made it his business not just to slay the Bombers, but lighten the Sox' anxiety-level, even this early in the season.

"I always believe it's my responsibility to pick up the team, not let the losing streaks get too long," the 7-0 Martinez said. "I'm very proud of that."

Maybe that's why Martinez was so untouchable early in the game, immediately reaching 95--mph on the radar gun, allowing just one hit in the first four innings. He wasn't just throwing fastballs, he was delivering a 94-mph message to the Yankees -- loud and unmistakable: I'm Back.

Pedro was back, alright -- all the way. In a brilliant burst of velocity between the second and fourth innings, he struck out 6-of-7 batters, including the side in the second inning. He beat Jorge Posada and Robin Ventura with curveballs, then smoked John Vander Wal and Nick Johnson with outside--corner fastballs.

This was the old Pedro, throwing hard, finding the corner, changing speeds so dramatically, it was difficult to believe this was the same pitcher who tore his rotator cuff last summer. It's as Joe Torre said, "he always seemed to have the hammer. We know how great he is. Pedro has so many weapons, it's very tough to hit against him unless you have a plan; you almost have to give up something."

Actually, the best way to attack Martinez is to wait, fingers crossed, for a mistake. Giambi said, "guys like that, guys like Pedro and (Roger) Clemens, the only way they lose is by beating themselves."

	Pedro Martinez showed he's back to his old dominant self against the Yankees.

Trouble was, Martinez was almost perfect. The Yankees managed a run in the sixth inning, after singles from Nick Johnson and Derek Jeter put runners on first and third, and Bernie Williams was able to beat out the back end of a potential 3-6-3 double play. But by that time, the Red Sox were leading 3-1, and there'd be no pressing Martinez or the Sox's bullpen any further.

In fact, the Yankees sabotaged their own rally in that sixth, as Williams -- with the green light from the Yankee dugout -- was thrown out attempting to steal second base, ending the inning. Giambi was at the plate, representing the tying run, and ... well, who knows what other fate awaited the Yankees in the inning?

What's certain is the Bombers were no match for Tim Wakefield and Ugueth Urbina in the eighth and ninth innings and that once again, the Red Sox proved they're worthy of the Yankees' respect, if not concern.

If history means anything, this is Boston's second-best start ever after 44 games, although, as Giambi pointed out, "they've been playing lights out and we're still right there."

In other words, there's great theater ahead in the East. Pedro's fastball practically guarantees it.

Bob Klapisch of The Record (Bergen County, N.J.) covers baseball for ESPN.com.