New reliever makes instant impact
Brendan Donnelly gets "W" in Sox debut
Brendan Donnelly traded the "A" on his cap for a "B" earlier this week.
The relief pitcher definitely gets an "A-plus" for his effort in his first game as a member of the Boston Red Sox. Donnelly saved the Sox from another bullpen collapse -- and got his first win of the season -- as Boston topped Tampa Bay 8-7.
Red Sox relievers Scott Williamson and Mike Timlin blew a 7-1 lead in the sixth and seventh innings, and Tino Martinez's three-run homer tied the score 7-7.
Enter Donnelly, who flew into town earlier in the day and barely made it to Fenway just in time for warm-ups. Donnelly struck out two in the eighth and another in the ninth, surrendering just one hit.
Kevin Millar's walk-off RBI single scored Johnny Damon for the win in the bottom of the ninth. Boston's biggest inning came in the third when they scored five runs. Manny Ramirez, David Ortiz, Jason Varitek and Millar each had two hits.
Millar extended his hitting streak to 14 games. Byung-hyun Kim was named game MVP for throwing a four-hitter and striking out six.