All it took for the Red Sox to reverse their disturbing trends on the 3-7 road trip that toppled them from first place was a return to the security blanket that is Fenway Park. Less than 24 hours after passively watching three straight pitches from Mariano Rivera pass by for strikes with the game on the line at Yankee Stadium, Manny Ramirez slammed Brian Bass’ 95-mph, 2-and-2 fastball to right field for a run-scoring single that provided the Sox an exhale-inducing, 1-0 victory over the Minnesota Twins. Ramirez, who left a runner at third base in the ninth inning of that 5-4, 10-inning loss in the Bronx, knocked in Dustin Pedroia with one out in the eighth this time, ending a maddening streak of one-run losses at six and cutting the Tampa Bay Rays’ AL East lead to four games.
Ramirez’ clutch hitting supported the effective pitching of Daisuke Matsuzaka, Hideki Okajima and Jonathan Paplebon, who combined to allow six hits and to send the surging Twins to only their fourth defeat in their last 22 games. Matsuzaka allowed six hits in 7 1/3 innings while striking out five. Okajima (2-2), who had allowed 12-of-15 inherited runners to score, left the bases loaded in the eighth. apelbon, who was saddled with Sunday’s loss , rebounded in style, retiring the side in order in the ninth to earn his 26th save. The 1-0 win was the Sox’ second of the year. It also improved the club, which is 2-14 in one-run games on the road, to 10-2 in such affairs at home.
Minnesota starter Scott Baker held the Sox to only five hits in seven shutout innings, while striking out seven before telling manager Ron Gardenhire that he’d had enough due to the oppressive humidity.
The Sox took full advantage in the eighth. Dustin Pedroia lined Bass’ first pitch off the Green Monster to extend his career-high hitting streak to 15 games, and moved up a base on J. D Drew’s groundout. Gardenhire said that it made sense to pitch to Ramirez, who was two for his last 19.
Nation Notes: Justin Masterson was returned to Pawtucket to make relief appearances as a prelude to returning in that role. Clay Buchholz will come up Friday to start against the Orioles. First baseman/outfielder Jeff Bailey was called up yesterday and likely will go back down Friday to make room for Buchholz.
