Boston Red Sox 4 Kansas City Royals 1 (April 5, 2007)
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0 commentsIn a start that has been anticipated for months, brand new Boston Red Sox starter Daisuke Matsuzaka (W,1-0) led his club to victory by a score of 4-1 over Zach Greinke (L, 0-1) and the Kansas City Royals. Matsuzaka turned some heads in his first official major league start, allowing only 1 run on 6 hits over 7 innings (the one run on a home run to David DeJesus), walking 1 and striking out 10. In his first action of the year, Jonathan Papelbon (S,1) pitched a perfect ninth, striking out two.
Greinke pitched very well in the losing effort, only allowing 2 runs (1 earned) on 8 hits over 7 while striking out 7, including K'ing David Ortiz three times. Greinke only made three appearances with the big club last season after battling depression and anxiety issues. He looked quite good and should have a nice rebound season this year.
Also... Alex Gordon got his first major league hit off of Matsuzakain the 5th... Matsuzaka allowed the first man he faced to reach base, then retired 11 of his next 12, including striking out the side in the 4th... Royals catcher John Buck took a foul ball off his throwing hand and appeared to be in some pain. He later made a throwing error that allowed a run to score... Jason Varitek's struggles at the plate continue, as he went 0-4 with a strikeout... The Red Sox stranded 6 runners on base.
Next up for both teams:
- The Red Sox travel to Arlington to face the Texas Rangers tomorrow as Tim Wakefield takes on Robinson Tejeda in the first game of a three-game set.
- The Royals welcome the defending AL Champion Detroit Tigers into town for three, throwing Jorge de la Rosa against Mike Maroth.
Date
April 5, 2007
