Article:Dice-K shuts down Athletics

A pitching combination of Daisuke Matsuzaka, Hiedeki Okajima and Jonathan Papelbon gave the Oakland Athletics very little to work with last night, as the Red Sox pulled of a 2-1 win in Oakland. Matsuzaka was dominant through 6 and 2/3 innings allowing just two hits and one run. A home run to Jack Cust to lead off the second inning. He sat down nine with strikeouts and did not walk any. Okajima came in and allowed one hit and one walk while not giving up any runs. Then Jonathan Papelbon came in and recorded his first 4 out save of the season setting down the Athletics in order and all by strikeouts in the ninth.

Jacoby Ellsbury drove in his first run of the season when he hit a single that drove in Kevin Youkilis from second after he slid into home and just avoided being tagged by Oakland catcher Kurt Suzuki. Later with Youkilis standing on third after a triple, that showed he is faster than we really think Jason Varitex got his first hit of the season. It looked like a homerun but was called a double. As it hit either just below or right above the yellow line on the right field wall. The ball appeared to clear to hit the top of the yellow line because it pooped straight up, but none the less was ruled a double and gave the Red Sox a lead they would not give up.

Joe Blanton pitched a decent game for the Athletics going six innings giving up 7 hits and 2 runs while walking 1 and striking out 3. Reliever Santiago Casilla then came in and pitched two great innings. Allowing no hits and striking out a pair. Then ex-Red Sox reliever Keith Foulke came in for the final inning and gave up two hits before the side was retired.

Papelbon ended the game in impressive fashion and the Sox held onto the 2-1 win. The two teams will battle out the last of the series today at 3:35pm.

from www.sammonroe.net