Daisuke Matsuzaka threw only 60 of his 109 pitches for strikes, but he somehow found a way to give up just one run on two hits in five innings. The end result was palatable for the Red Sox, who came away with a 6-3 victory against a Detroit club still trying to find its way. While the same can be said for the Sox’ second-year hurler, at least a glimpse of optimism could still be siphoned from the outing.
If one thing was reaffirmed by Matsuzaka in his first start at Comerica Park since allowing the Tigers six runs on 10 hits last July 8, it is that he remains anything but predictable. This time around, there was a whole lot of resiliency to go with the roller coaster that the righty has taken the Red Sox on so many times in his 39 career regular-season appearances.
After the game, it was revealed that Matsuzaka (5-0) has continued to battle the remnants of the sickness which sidelined him two weeks ago. It was such a concern that manager Terry Francona never expected his starter to go more than the five innings he supplied, no matter what the route taken.
Mike Lowell, Kevin Youkilis, and David Ortiz were all taking advantage of the balmy Michigan air, each clearing the fences with home runs, Youkilis hit a two-run homer in the fourth and Ortiz added a solo shot in the ninth. Ortiz also had an RBI single in the seventh inning.
Craig Hansen relieved Matsuzaka in the sixth inning and threw better than his numbers reflect: (1 2/3 innings, two runs, two hits, two walks). Hansen was followed by Hideki Okajama (1 scoreless) and Jonathan Paplebon (save No. 10).
