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Red Sox defeat A's 6-5 in MLB opener
2008-03-25
Manny Ramirez powered the Boston Red Sox to a 6-5 win in 10 innings over the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday, with pitcher Hideki Okajima earning the win in Major League Baseball's season-opener in Japan. Ramirez, who also knocked in two runs in the sixth, doubled off Oakland closer Huston Street after an intentional walk to David Ortiz with two out and single by Julio Lugo, making a winner of Okajima in his Japan homecoming. "I'm really happy. I saw the cameras flashing when I was pitching and I want to thank the fans," said Okajima. Fellow Japanese pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka, the focus of intense local media attention, started the opening defense of Boston's 2007 World Series crown, scuffling through five innings but leaving with a 3-2 lead. Matsuzaka said he was a little too cautious as the team's season-opening pitcher. "I wasn't nervous, but initially I was too cautious," he said. "Later, I became more aggressive and should have done this from the start." Boston closer Jonathan Papelbon came on in the 10th to earn the save, but gave up a run before inducing Oakland's Kurt Suzuki to ground out with two on base. Matsuzaka, who signed with the Red Sox after an eight-year career with Japan's Seibu Lions, won 15 games and two post-season outings in 2007. But the player nicknamed "Dice-K" occasionally struggled with his control last season and was erratic in the season-opener. Oakland's Mark Ellis began the scoring with a solo home run off Matsuzaka in the first inning, while a walk and hit batsman led to another run on shortstop Bobby Crosby's fielder's choice. Matsuzaka escaped a bases-loaded jam by striking out Jack Cust to end the second, but left after throwing 95 pitches through five innings with six strikeouts and five walks. Jack Hannahan's two-run homer off of Boston reliever Kyle Snyder grabbed the lead back, but Red Sox right fielder Brandon Moss homered to tie the score 4-4 in the ninth off of closer Street who took the loss. Boston paid over $100 million to negotiate with and sign Matsuzaka, while reliever Okajima was an All-Star in his rookie 2007 season. Many Japanese clad in Boston apparel were vocal in their Red Sox support, although Oakland is the designated "home" team for the two-game MLB series. The teams will play again on Wednesday before returning to the U.S. (Editing by Justin Palmer)
AP sources: Markakis, Madson get big deals (2009-01-19)Indians beat Rays to snap 10-game slide (2008-07-11)Red Sox defeat A's 6-5 in MLB opener (2008-03-25)Red Sox to play, go to Japan (2008-03-19)Piazza, A's send Seattle to another loss (2007-09-12)
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