Red Sox Pounce Phillies, 11 to 6

BOSTON: 5 0 0 0 3 0 2 0 1 - 11 13 0

PHILADELPHIA: 0 0 1 3 1 0 1 0 0 - 6 13 3

It is indeed fortunate that the Boston Red Sox scored as many runs as they did in the first inning (per my hope in yesterday's post) and those runs were certainly the difference in the score. The Philadelphia Phillies made a gallant struggle to come back after the long rain delay (one hour, thirty-five minutes), but Boston kept the lead throughout the game. Good hitting. With a four-run lead, Ramon Ramirez made an appearance and did not give up a hit and had a 1-2-3 eighth inning! Right situation. Right result. Matsuzaka still has only one win this season and although that is worrisome, there are pitchers waiting in the wings (Smoltz, Buchholz) that can be added to Boston's pitching depth. Tomorrow the Red Sox go for the sweep at Citizens Bank Park and to continue their winning streak and first place position.

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BOSTON: Starting Pitcher: Daisuke Matsuzaka, Winning Pitcher: Hideki Okajima (3)

PHILADELPHIA: Starting Pitcher: Antonio Bastardo, Losing Pitcher: Antonio Bastardo

BOSTON: Homeruns: Jason Bay (17), Jacoby Ellsbury (2)

PHILADELPHIA: Homeruns: Raul Ibanez, Pedro Feliz, Jayson Werth

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RED SOX: Wins: 38, Losses: 24, AL East Standings: Boston, New York, Toronto, Tampa Bay, Baltimore

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Next game: Sunday 14 June 2009, 10:35 a.m. PT, Philadelphia Phillies, Citizens Bank Park, Josh Beckett