Sox Walk 10, Still Win 6-3

Daisuke Matsuzaka issued a career-high eight walks in just five innings of work, but he only allowed two hits and one run as the Red Sox won 6-3. Matsuzaka is now 5-0 on the season despite allowing 10 base runners in five innings. Mike Lowell hit a 2-run shot in the 2nd inning for his first 2 RBI’s of the season. Jeremy Bonderman went six innings and allowed four runs for the Tigers, who now stand at 14-19 after an 0-7 start.

Sox Studs:

• Mike Lowell went 3-5 as he continues to bust out of a season-long slump. He had shown signs recently, and his 3-5 night with a HR and 2 RBI gives more reason for optimism.
• David Ortiz went 2-4 with a solo HR (his sixth) as his average slowly starts to creep up. He’s now sitting at .225. To think the Sox could be 21-13 with Lowell and Ortiz below .230 is a crazy…but here we are, eight games over .500.

Diamond Duds:

• I don’t care if he won, but eight walks by Dice-K is totally unacceptable for your starting pitcher. I know the Tigers are patient hitters and maybe the umpire has a tight strikezone, but I’d be willing to bet that nine times out of ten a pitcher loses if he walks at least eight hitters.
• Craig Hansen was just called up and saw some action. So after Dice-K walks eight, Hansen walks another two and allows two runs in 1 2/3 innings. But, he held the lead and the Sox still won.

He’s still in the majors?

• Not only is he still in the majors, but righty Todd Jones is still the closer in Detroit. This season he’s 5-5 in save oppurtunities and has averaged 38-39 saves from 2005-2007. Now at age 40, Jones has showed he’s still got it in the majors.

Other Notes:

• Jacoby Ellsbury went 0-5 with two strikeouts from the leadoff spot.
• Curt Schilling is scheduled to throw a baseball for the first time all season on Tuesday.

Tags: Daisuke Matsuzaka, David Ortiz, Detroit Tigers, Jeremy Bonderman, Manny Ramirez, Mike Lowell, Red Sox

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