June 23, 2008
Sox Snap Skid, Take Opener from Dbacks
Boston 5, Arizona 2
Behind a strong performance by Daisuke Matsuzaka, Boston bounced back from dropping two against St. Louis to take the opener of the three game set against the Arizona Diamondbacks, 5-2.
After falling behind 2-1 on a pair of solo home runs by Chris Young and Stephen Drew, Boston scored twice in the fourth to pull ahead. With two outs, a Mike Lowell double off Brandon Webb got the Sox started. J.D. Drew tied the game with a single to right field. After surrendering a walk to Dustin Pedroia, Webb gave up a single to Jason Varitek to put Boston ahead 3-2.
Coco Crisp and David Ortiz added a pair of RBI-singles in the 7th to put the finishing touches on the Sox victory.
Matsuzaka, after running off six wins in eight appearances, won for the second time straight game following a Josh Beckett loss.
W: Matsuzaka (10-4) L: Webb (4-10) SV: Papelbon (21)
Player of the Game: Coco Crisp (3-4, 2B, 2 Rs, RBI)
Around the League:
...Chicago placed SP Carlos Zambrano (8-4, 2.49 ERA) on the 60-day disabled list...Florida fired manager Freddy Gonzalez (26-50)...
New England draw Minnesota in US Cup
The New England Revolution will play the Minnesota Thunder in the US Cup Third Round. The match will be played at James Griffin Stadium, St. Paul, MN. on 8 July 2008.
Unlike their opponents, New England do have history in this competition, having lifted the famous trophy once in 2007.