Red Sox 6, Tigers 5
Fenway Park, Boston, Mass.
August 10, 2009
Headliner: Losers of six straight, the Red Sox needed the first game of the series against the Tigers in the worst way and Terry Francona managed accordingly. Francona called upon Jonathan Papelbon for a four-out save, and the Red Sox closer threw a perfect 1 1/3 innings to help stop the lengthy slide. Papelbon needed just 11 pitches to record the save, his 28th in 31 opportunities this season.
Dirt Dog: Nick Green has had his ups and downs with the Red Sox this season, but on Monday the journeyman shortstop helped the Red Sox to a win. Hitting out of the No. 9 slot, Green went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in the second inning and gave the Red Sox the lead for good with a sacrifice fly in the seventh. Green had been just 2-for-20 in his last 10 games before his big night on Monday.
Better luck next time: Tigers starter Edwin Jackson came into the game as one of the best starters in the league. Jackson carried a 2.62 ERA into Fenway but had trouble in the first and a high pitch count led to a short outing. He lasted four innings, allowing nine hits and four earned runs with three strikeouts and two walks. Jackson allowed two home runs and failed to pitch five innings for just the second time this season.
Key moment: Trailing 6-5 with runners on second and third and one out in the eighth, the Tigers had a chance to tie the score or take the lead against the Boston bullpen. But Ramon Ramirez was able to strike out Adam Everett and Papelbon came in to get Curtis Granderson to foul out to Victor Martinez to end the threat and preserve the lead.
On deck: The Red Sox and Tigers continue their four-game series on Tuesday with 23-year old Junichi Tazawa (0-1, 10.80) making his first major league start against 20-year old Rick Porcello (10-7, 4.30). The Tigers have yet to beat the Red Sox this season in four games and will turn to their rookie right-hander on Tuesday to get into the win column against Boston.
