Daisuke Matsuzaka Takes on Hot Indians Rookie Josh Tomlin in Homestand Finale

The Red Sox opened a seven-game homestand last week with a three-game winning streak and were hopeful they could take advantage of two inferior teams. Now, they need a win Thursday to avoid a losing record on the stretch.

Boston fell to 3-3 on the homestand with a bitter 9-1 loss to the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday night. The setback dropped the Sox 6 1/2 games behind New York and Tampa Bay.

Before departing for a 10-game road trip that begins Friday, Boston sends Daisuke Matsuzaka to the mound opposite Indians rookie Josh Tomlin.

The Sox are now 15-15 against the four teams in the American League with losing records.

WHEN AND WHERE

Indians (46-62) at Red Sox (61-47)
Thursday, August 5, 7:10 p.m.
Fenway Park, Boston

HEAD TO HEAD

Cleveland has won four of the last five meetings between the teams.

PITCHING MATCHUP

RHP Josh Tomlin (1-0, 1.46 ERA) vs. RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka (7-3, 4.22 ERA)

Matsuzaka has pitched much better lately, but has not gone seven innings in a start in nearly two months. Fortunately for the Red Sox, the last time he did was against Cleveland back on June 7.

Facing the Indians in Progressive Field, Matsuzaka threw eight scoreless innings, giving up only four hits. The gem improved Matsuzaka to 3-1 with a 2.70 ERA against Cleveland.

Tomlin, 25, dominated the Yankees in his major league debut late last month, and then was solid at Toronto on just four days rest. He has allowed only seven hits in 12 1/3 innings since being brought up from Triple-A Columbus.

LINEUPS

STAT SHEET

Red Sox

• The seven unearned runs allowed Wednesday night was the most given up in a game by Boston since July 14, 2006, when it surrendered eight against Oakland at Fenway Park.
• Designated hitter David Ortiz has a 13-game hitting streak, during which he is hitting .321 (17-for-53) with five home runs. It is the second-longest stretch of his career, trailing a 19-gamer from 2007.
• Three Red Sox pitchers (Josh Beckett, Jonathan Papelbon and Jon Lester) combined to retire 23 straight Cleveland hitters between the end of Tuesday’s game and the beginning of Wednesday’s.

Indians

• Cleveland has won more than one game in a series at Fenway for the first time since 2006.
• The Indians have an extra-base hit in 57 straight games, the longest streak in the majors.
• Cleveland pitching has allowed three earned runs or less in 23 of their last 35 games.

BLACK AND BLUE

Red Sox

• First baseman Kevin Youkilis was placed on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday with a tear in his right thumb adductor muscle. He is headed to Cleveland on Thursday to see another hand specialist.
• Center fielder Mike Cameron is on the DL with a lower abdominal strain. He is hoping rest will help him avoid surgery, which would likely end his season.
• Second baseman Dustin Pedroia (broken left foot) will try to run again Friday in New York. He is performing all baseball activities, but running remains the one issue before he can return.
• Catcher Jason Varitek (broken right foot) did some very light jogging Wednesday. He remains weeks behind Pedroia.
• Righty Junichi Tazawa underwent Tommy John surgery in March. He is out for the year.

Indians

• Catcher Carlos Santana was placed on the DL with a sprained left knee suffered in a home-plate collision with Ryan Kalish on Monday.
• Designated hitter Travis Hafner is on the DL with right shoulder inflammation.
• Right-hander Mitch Talbot was placed on the DL last week with a back strain.
• Left-hander Aaron Laffey is on the DL with a fatigued left shoulder.
• Center fielder Grady Sizemore (left knee surgery) is out for the year.
• Right-hander Anthony Reyes (Tommy John surgery) is on a minor league rehab assignment.

OUTLOOK

With the four-game set in The Bronx on the horizon, followed by three at Toronto and three more at Texas, this is as close to a must-win game as you will find in early August.