Daisuke Matsuzaka, who hadn’t pitched in the majors since June 19, earned his second win of the season as he led the Red Sox to a 4-1 win over the Angels in Tuesday night’s series opener at Fenway Park.
Thanks to a pair of two-run innings, a strong bullpen collaboration, and Matsuzaka’s impressive six-inning gem, the righty was able to pick up his first win at Fenway Park since Aug. 29, 2008.
Red Sox 4, Angels 1
Fenway Park, Boston, Mass.
September 15, 2009
Headliner: Daisuke Matsuzaka looked solid in his first big-league outing since June as he held the powerful Angels offense scoreless over six innings of work while giving up just three hits. Dice-K had five strikeouts and even took a no-hitter into the fifth inning.
Dirt dog: Jacoby Ellsbury and David Ortiz led the Boston attack as both had a pair of hits and one run scored. Big Papi smashed a solo blast to center in the bottom of the eighth — his 270th as a designated hitter, passing Frank Thomas for the most in Major League history at that position. Ellsbury, who made an incredible catch in the top of the ninth, also laid a bunt single down the first-base line in the sixth to help ignite Boston’s first two-run inning.
Relievers Ramon Ramirez, Billy Wagner and Daniel Bard held the Angels to no runs and just one hit over two innings of work before closer Jonathan Papelbon came in to end things in the ninth.
Better luck next time: Mike Lowell (two strikeouts) and Jason Varitek were the only two Red Sox starters without hits in the win. Boston out-hit the Angels 9-6.
Key moment: After Alex Gonzalez led off the sixth inning with a single to left, Ellsbury’s bunt down the first base line was so perfectly placed that his attempt at a sacrifice turned into an infield single to put runners on first and second with no outs. Dustin Pedroia followed with a bunt of his own, this time to the right of Angels starter John Lackey. The right-handed hurler made a nice play to get to the ball, but in an ill-fated attempt to get Gonzalez, the lead runner, at third, he made an errant throw from his knees. The ball skipped past Angels third baseman Chone Figgins, allowing Gonzalez to score the game’s first run. Ellsbury, who also advanced on the error, would come around to score on Ortiz’s bloop single to left to make it 2-0.
On deck: Paul Byrd hopes to extend his unbeaten streak at Fenway Park to four straight games as he hosts the Halos in Game 2 of the three-game series.
Byrd will make his fourth start of the season after picking up a no-decision in his last outing in which he held the Orioles to two runs on six hits last Wednesday. The righty, sitting at 1-1 with a 6.08 ERA this season, pitched for the Angels in 2005, going 12-11 with a 3.74 ERA in 31 starts.
