June 1, 2008
Boston 6, Baltimore 1
After watching Josh Beckett go on the DL before the start of tonight's game, manager Terry Francona voiced no hesitation in how he has handled his star pitcher. Daisuke Matsuzaka, coming off being named AL Pitcher of the Month for May, seemed unfazed as well. Matsuzaka continued his torrid pace, throwing his fourth complete game of the season, allowing 1 run on four hits while striking out 10 Orioles. Last season, Matsuzaka throw just one complete game.
Julio Lugo wielded the big bat for Matsuzaka, taking the pressure of his starter early. In the second, after Oriole starter Daniel Cabrera loaded the bases with two outs, Lugo connected on the first pitch of his at-bat and smoked a line drive down the right field corner to clear the bases.
The Orioles got on the board in the 6th against Matsuzaka when a lead off walk to Kevin Millar proved costly. After advancing to second on a ground out by Nick Markakis, Millar scored on a Aubrey Huff single to left. Manny Ramirez failed to throw home on the play and Millar crossed the plate easily standing up.
With Jonathan Papelbon warming up on the bullpen, the Sox added three runs in the top of ninth that allowed Matsuzaka to finish the game. After a David Ortiz ground out started the inning for former-Red Sox Chad Bradford, Manny Ramirez and J.D. Drew followed with a pair of singles. A walk to Kevin Youkilis loaded the bases and Mike Lowell single from Ramirez from third, but Drew was caught at home on a spectacular throw by Markakis that beat the speedy right fielder by three or four feet. A wild pitch followed to move the runners up, and Jason Varitek delivered with a two-run single to cap the night for Boston.
Julio Manon relieved Bradford and retired Julio Lugo on a groundout to Millar at first.
W: Matsuzaka (8-3) L: Cabrera (5-4)
Player of the Game: Daisuke Matzuaka (9 IP, 4 Hs, R, 3 BBs, 10 K's, 130 PI)
Around the League:
...Boston released 2B Keith Ginter (.163 avg., -2.8 VORP w/ Pawtucket)...Anaheim designated LF Garret Anderson (.241 avg., 4 HRs, 16 RBIs) for assignment and placed him on waivers...
Revolution called up for International Duty
Seven regulars from the New England Revolution have been called up for the upcoming international duty.
June 6 and 13th:
United States Under 20s - Gabriel Ferrari, Miguel Gonzalez
June 7th and 14th:
Gambia - Sainey Nyassi
United States - Pat Noonan, Michael Parkhurst
Jamaica - Rudolph Austin
Grenada - Shairie Joseph