Daisuke Matsuzaka shined again for the Boston Red Sox when they needed him the most on a day where players and coaches could only think about winning. And so could Bill Buckner.
Matsuzaka went 6.2 innings only allowing four hits, four walks, and struck out seven. Matsuzaka did not allow a single run in the game and finally the bullpen held their end of the bargain for the 5-0 decision over the 0-7 struggling Detroit Tigers.
Kevin Youkilis went 3-3 with two RBI’s but most importantly on this day: championship ring and home opener day, Buckner got the ovation he finally deserved. It is about time that such a great player whose image was destroyed by the media had some positive light shed on him.
Star of the Game: Dice-K
He is now 2-0. He is now confident. And he is now reliable. If Josh Beckett can bounce back things are going to start looking up for the Red Sox.
Preview of Next Game: Jeremy Bonderman (0-1) vs Jon Lester (1-1)
Lester should see this game as an opportunity to pounce on a team that is in such a rut they are making Memphis free throw shooting look good at this point. Lester needs a solid six innings and a low scoring game on his end and the offense who is suddenly and slowly waking up should deliver off of Bonderman.
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the ribbon cutting ceremony in the coke seats with Lefty, Righty, Lucky and Clay Buchholz was one of the most surreal things I’ve ever seen. Seats seem to give a pretty nice view, though I’m not sold on how they look in terms of the whole park. unbelievable that by next year Fenway will have attendance beginning with a 4 for the first time in decades.
What coming home to Fenway fans, and a couple of nights sleep will do. What celebatrating being champions can do to the ego and adrenalin.
What I enjoyed most about today’s game was that it still didn’t come easy. No monster blast decisions, just one run pushed across at a time, the hard way, and some terrific fielding. This team hangs tight. Dice K, yes! Oki, fresh and fantastic. Keep him fresh Tito. MDC, all we expected. Stretch him Tito.
Still wish we had Huston Street to replace Gagne. Maybe now is the time to make the deal for Street and Harden. He will never be whole on he A’s. He could be part of an amazing rotation here by ASB.
Too bad about the Yankees. I was amazed to hear the announcers offer their concern for Hughes having to pitch in the cold, and with a movable strike zone. Hughes is a really good, young, newbie. Don’t patronize him.
I’m sitting in those new seats tomorrow night with my buddy. After the game I’ll drop by and let you guys know how the view/comfort is. I have high expectations and it’s going to be sweet sitting up high next to the Monster. Hope someone bombs one.
Sean O: I could be wrong but I read somewhere that the folks at Fenway refuse to put the attendance capacity over 40,000. I agree with them, let’s keep it where it is right now. Where else are we going to stuff seats and overcharge for them??
Steven – I thought the intention all along was to hit 42,000. I believe they are going to finish extending the “pavilion” down the RF line to the roof deck seats, which will put them pretty close to that number. I guess I just don’t see a situation where they will not want to maximize revenue in some manner.
Of course, they could use my suggestion and completely tear out the bleachers and start over. That would definitely get us to 45k with a double-decked outfield.
http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2008/04/03/fenway_ready_for_home_opener_with_room_for_about_1000_more_fans/
“We decided never to have a number that started with a ‘4′ for Fenway,” said Janet Marie Smith, the team’s point person on the ballpark improvements.
Crazy, and phrased the exact same way. Well, color me surprised, since I figured they were going to shoehorn every possible seat in there.
Have a great time tonight. I can’t wait for my first Monster dog of the season. woohoo.