While a duplicate performance might be too much to ask, Matsuzaka will have a chance for an encore when he leads the Red Sox into the second of three straight against the Phils at Fenway Park.
The right-hander's no-hit bid was broken up when Juan Castro's soft liner to left fell just out of the reach of shortstop Marco Scutaro. Matsuzaka settled for eight shutout innings, and sent the once-potent Phillies offense into a funk that still remains.
Including that loss to Matsuzaka, Philadelphia has averaged just 2.3 runs over a span of 18 games. A 12-2 loss to the Sox in Friday's series opener kept them right on that paltry pace.
WHEN AND WHERE
Phillies (31-28) at Red Sox (36-27)
Saturday, June 12, 4:10 p.m.
Fenway Park, Boston
HEAD TO HEAD
The Sox have won 17 of the last 22 meetings.
PITCHING MATCHUP
RHP Joe Blanton (1-4, 6.07 ERA) vs. RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka (5-2, 4.59 ERA)
All eyes will be on Matsuzaka, not only to see how long he can hold the suddenly anemic Phillies' offense hitless but also to gauge just how far he has come after putting together two good starts for the first time all year.
After fanning seven and walking none in a 6-4 win over Oakland on June 2, Matsuzaka tossed eight scoreless to defeat Cleveland five days later. He has won five of his last six decisions.
Blanton has struggled since returning from an oblique strain that robbed him of the first month of the season. He gave up a season-high 11 hits and five runs in five innings of a 6-5 loss to San Diego his last time out.
The righty is 3-2 with a 3.61 ERA against the Sox, and 2-0 in four starts at Fenway.
LINEUPS
| Phillies | Red Sox |
|---|---|
|
Shane Victorino, CF Jayson Werth, RF Chase Utley, 2B Ryan Howard, 1B Ben Francisco DH Raul Ibanez, LF Greg Dobbs, 3B Brian Schneider, C Wilson Valdez, SS |
Marco Scutaro, SS Dustin Pedroia, 2B David Ortiz, DH Kevin Youkilis, 1B J.D. Drew, RF Adrian Beltre, 3B Jason Varitek, C Darnell McDonald, CF Daniel Nava, LF |
STAT SHEET
Red Sox
- Boston's eight doubles Friday night were the club's most in a game since Aug. 18, 2006, against New York.
- The Sox are the first team in baseball this year to have three pitchers with at least seven wins.
- Catcher Victor Martinez is batting .487 (19-for-39) with eight doubles and 10 RBIs in 10 games in June.
Phillies
- The 12 runs allowed Friday were the most Philadelphia has given up since Aug. 9, 2009, when it lost 12-3 to Florida.
- First baseman Ryan Howard is batting .343 (12-for-35) during his current nine-game hitting streak.
- Jamie Moyer, who allowed nine runs in one-plus inning Friday, has a 7.17 ERA in 24 games (22 starts) against Boston. It is the highest ERA by any pitcher with at least 100 innings against the Sox since 1952.
BLACK AND BLUE
Red Sox
- Outfielder Jeremy Hermida was placed on the 15-day disabled list Friday after an MRI revealed five fractured ribs, the result of a collision with third baseman Adrian Beltre one week earlier.
- An MRI conducted Wednesday revealed a new fracture in outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury's ribs. Ellsbury, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list May 28 for the second time this year, will head to the Athletes' Performance center in Arizona for at least two weeks of rest and recovery.
- First baseman Kevin Youkilis left Thursday's game with mild back spasms. He was held out Friday but may return to the lineup Saturday.
- Josh Beckett still has yet to throw since having a bullpen session cut short May 28. He may get a chance to throw Saturday, but that is tentative. Beckett is on the DL with a lower back strain.
- Infielder Jed Lowrie continues to try to work back from mononucleosis.
Phillies
- Shortstop Jimmy Rollins is scheduled to begin a minor league rehab assignment June 14. He has been on the DL twice this year with a right calf strain.
- Lefty J.A. Happ is on a rehab assignment of his own as he tries to work his way back from left forearm soreness.
- Right-handed reliever Ryan Madson has begun to throw long toss. He went on the DL in late April with a broken right big toe.
OUTLOOK
The Phillies are not this bad and will break out of their slump at some point. It might have to wait until after this series — Boston has won eight of the last 10 meetings at home, and it appears as if Matsuzaka may have found a groove after a solid month of inconsistency to start the season.
