June 17, 2008
Sox Bounce Back Behind Matsuzaka, Beat Phils 7-3
Boston 7, Philadelphia 3
Daisuke Matsuzaka seems to be showing signs of coming to terms with his talent as he continues to develop into the front line starter the Red Sox thought they were acquiring back in the winter of 2007.
Matsuzaka has lasted at least 6 innings in nine of his last ten starts, including three complete games and one shutout. Against the Phillies, Daisuke pitched seven innings, striking out four while allowing three runs on four hits.
The Sox jumped out in front early, scoring four runs in the top half of the first inning against Philadelphia starter Scott Baker (4.1 IP, 7 Hs, 5 Rs, 4 ER, 5 Ks). Coco Crisp led off the game with a single to center that skipped under the glove of a diving Chase Utley at second. After Dustin Pedroia reached base on a throwing error by Baker, David Ortiz followed with a RBI-single to left to score Crisp from second without a throw. With runners on the corners and no outs, Baker worked tentatively to Manny Ramirez, throwing his first three pitches away from the slugger. Unfortunately, when Baker did decide to come inside, Ramirez wasn't taking and deposited the fastball over the wall in right field for a three-run home run, his 15th of the season.
The Phillies did rally back to within one run in the 4th when Jimmy Rollins scored on a triple by Jayson Werth after taking a one-out walk from Matsuzaka. Werth would score on a single by Carlos Ruiz one batter later to pull the Phils to within one run, but Daisuke manage to strike out Scott Baker to end the inning. Boston did lose Manny Ramirez to an apparent injury on the Ruiz single, as he pulled up lame after attempting to throw Werth out at home.
The Red Sox manage to get one run back in the top of the 5th on a RBI-single by Mike Lowell. Dustin Pedroia, who got the inning started with a single to left and stole second on a failed hit-and-run by David Ortiz, scored from second on the Lowell single after Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel tried to set up the double play by intentionally walking Brandon Moss, who was batting in place of
Ramirez in the lineup after replacing the injured left fielder in the second inning.
Boston would later add two more insurances against reliever Adam Eaton when Julio Lugo led off the 8th with a solo home run and Dustin Pedroia hit a two-out RBI double. Hideki Okajima and Bryan Corey pitched the final two scoreless innings for the Sox to secure the win.
W: Matsuzaka (9-4) L: Baker (5-8)
Player of the Game: Manny Ramirez (1-1, HR, 3 RBIs)
Around the League:
...Seattle activated SP Felix Hernandez (6-5, 2.89 ERA, 99.2 IP, 96 K's) from the disable list...San Diego signed MR Trevor Hoffman (3-5, 0 SVs., 6.75 ERA) to a 1-year contract extension worth $3.62m...1B Albert Pujols (.354 avg., 18 HRs, 56 RBIs, 1.102 OPS) of the St. Louis Cardinals hit his 300th career home run...
Mariner delivers Parkhurst warning
Assistant manager Paul Mariner issued a warning today concerning the play of Michael Parkhurst in recent training sessions. Mariner noted that Parkshurt was looking his usual self. More worringly, Mariner has heard rumors that the defender may be looking to move on to a bigger club.
Mariner suggested attempting to negotiate a new deal with Parkshurt in an attempt to persuade the player not to leave the club. The 24-year defender has appeared in all 12 matches for the Revolution this season as the New England defense has conceded a league-low 10 goals this season.