MARTINEZ IS MASTERFUL
Dodgers win Game One over Red Sox in convincing fashion
October 27, 2002
Take that, little brother.
LA Dodgers pitcher Ramon Martinez may have been overshadowed by little brother Pedro in recent seasons.
But Ramon pitched a game for the ages last night, lifting the Dodgers past the Pedro's Red Sox 6-1 in the opening game of the 2002 World Series.
Martinez gave up just three hits and one earned run, striking out five. Meanwhile Sox starter Derek Lowe never made it out of the fourth inning, surrendering five runs to the potent Dodgers.
Boston started with a flurry, getting a leadoff double from Frank Catalanotto. The Red Sox then sacrificed him around the bases for an early 1-0 lead.
With temperatures a cool 56 degrees at Chavez Ravine, the Dodgers began heating up in the third inning, scoring three times to seize control. They chased Lowe with two more runs in the fourth. Josh Hamilton was a home run away from the cycle for LA, finishing 3-for-4 with three RBIs. Alex Rodriguez also was 3-for-4, while Jeff Cirillo went 2-for-4.
The Dodgers have not lost in the post-season. Ramon Martinez, a strong Cy Young candidate in the National League, is now 3-0 in playoff contests this year, with an ERA of 2.31. He helped himself with a bunt single in the third inning, setting up Hamilton's two-run triple.
Though struggling with shoulder issues the past few weeks, little brother Pedro (25-4 in the regular season) will get the chance to match his brother's feat in Game Two tonight. Pedro Martinez will face last year's NL Cy Young winner Hipolito Pichardo.
Game Three will take the Series to historic Fenway Park in Boston.