Matsuzaka pitched six scoreless innings, allowing three hits and striking out five in a 93-pitch effort. He kept his command under control with just three walks and barely had to labor in the outing for his second win of the season.
The expectations weren’t high for Daisuke in his first start since June June 19, but he exceeded those expectations and could fill the hole left in the rotation by Tim Wakefield down the stretch. After months of trying to patch up holes in the rotation, the Red Sox look like they are finally starting to get healthy in time for October.