|
The Boston Globe • April 5, 2004
Boston blisters Baltimore 11-1
Johnny Damon led off the game with a single, stole second and then came home on a base hit by Bill Mueller.
It was all downhill from there as the Boston Red Sox coasted to an 11-1 win over Baltimore in the season opener for both teams.
A sellout crowd paid to see it at Camden Yards. But only those wearing Red Sox colors had much to cheer about when it was all over.
"We really wanted to come out and make a statement in our first game," Damon said. "This was the perfect script."
David Ortiz hit a home run, and the Sox got offensive contributions from nearly everyone in the lineup. Nomar Garciaparra had three RBIs.
Pedro Martinez showed that last year’s ALCS Game 7 collapse was behind him, going seven strong and only surrendering four hits. A solo homer by the Orioles in the second frame was all the real offense the home team could muster.
Alan Embree and Bronson Arroyo combined for two innings of no-hit ball in relief.
New manager Terry Francona got his first win in a Boston uniform. "It feels good," he said. "But we’re still 160-plus games away from our ultimate goals. This is just the first step of the marathon."
Step two comes tomorrow when the Sox and Orioles collide again…
Johnny Damon scored the first run of the season in the top of the first (photo-mlb.com)
|