updated 2:02 p.m. ET June 28, 2006

BOSTON - Pedro Martinez is glad to be back at Fenway Park. Judging by their reaction, Boston fans are happy to see him, too.

The former Red Sox star makes his first-ever start against his former team when the New York Mets continue their three-game series at Fenway on Wednesday.

Martinez went 117-37 with a 2.52 ERA in seven years with Boston, winning two Cy Young awards and helping the Red Sox capture the 2004 World Series — their first title since 1918. However, he signed with the Mets after winning the championship when the Mets offered him four guaranteed years, something the Red Sox wouldn’t do.

How Martinez (7-3, 3.01 ERA) would be welcomed by Red Sox fans in his return was a matter of speculation — until he received a standing ovation during the second inning of Tuesday’s series opener.

“It was emotional — unless you don’t have a heart,” he said. “It was better than I thought. I thought some people would still be bitter.”

Center fielder Johnny Damon, also a member of the 2004 team who signed with the archrival New York Yankees during the offseason, was booed in his Fenway return in May.

“It’s been two years, and I still feel like they miss me. And it’s a mutual feeling,” Martinez said before the game. “I saw 86 years of agony for the fans here. They were here every day. That’s why they have so much of my respect.”

Martinez stopped by the Red Sox clubhouse before Tuesday’s game to see former teammates David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez, Trot Nixon and Jason Varitek.

“It will be a little distracting,” Ortiz said of facing Martinez. “I’ll swing hard just in case I hit the ball.”

Martinez allowed two runs and two hits in six innings of Thursday’s 6-2 win over Cincinnati. The right-hander, 2-3 in 10 starts since winning his first five outings this season, struck out eight but walked a season high-tying five.

Martinez will face Josh Beckett (9-3, 4.84), who won his second straight start Friday, allowing two runs and three hits in a season-high eight innings of a 10-2 victory over Philadelphia. Beckett, who struck out a season-best eight while walking none, retired the first 16 batters he faced — the most for a Red Sox pitcher since Curt Schilling retired the first 17 he faced on May 30, 2004 against Seattle.

Both Phillies runs came on a two-run homer by Chase Utley in the seventh. Beckett has allowed 18 homers this season, a career high.

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The Red Sox (46-28) beat the Mets 9-4 in the series opener for their 10th straight victory, all in interleague play. Mike Lowell and Alex Gonzalez homered for Boston, which swept three-game series from the Braves, Nationals and Phillies.

The Red Sox, 12-1 against the NL this season, lead the second-place Yankees by 3½ games in the AL East. They have not committed an error in 14 straight games, the longest streak in the majors this season and one game shy of the AL record.

Mets right fielder Xavier Nady left Tuesday’s game with a bruised left wrist after getting hit by a pitch in the sixth. Shortstop Jose Reyes appeared hurt after colliding with Boston catcher Jason Varitek on a play at the plate in the fifth, but took the field in the bottom of the inning.

Carlos Beltran went 2-for-2 with two walks and a homer, and Carlos Delgado and Eli Marrero also homered for the NL East-leading Mets (47-29), who are 5-6 in their last 11 contests but lead the division by 11½ games.

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