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May 26, 2007
BY SEAN McADAM
Journal Sports Writer
ARLINGTON, Texas – Following a day off in the schedule, the Red Sox’ bats snapped back to life last night, though it was hard to tell what had revitalized them more – the rest or the sight of the Texas Rangers’ pitching staff.
As a staff, the Rangers came into last night 13th – next to last – in the American League and their rotation was dead last. Then, as if to demonstrate that their ranking was no statistical anomaly, the Rangers yielded 10 hits and seven walks as the Sox rolled to a rain-delayed 10-6 win.
The victory, coupled with the Yankees’ loss to the Angels, re-established the Sox’ 10 1/2 game lead in the American League East.
In a balanced attack, seven different Red Sox hitters produced at least one RBI. The Sox led 4-0 in the second, coughed up the lead, then scored six more to pull away from the Rangers, who lost for the eighth time in the last 11 tries.
Daisuke Matsuzaka, who left after five innings complaining of nausea, picked up his sixth straight win to improve to 7-2.
''The fact that he got through five innings speaks to what kind of competitor he is,’’ said pitching coach John Farrell.
Several teammates said Matsuzaka could be heard getting sick in the runway to the dugout between innings.
''I felt very good coming out of my warmup in the bullpen,’’ said Matsuzaka in a statement provided to reporters. ''But of all a sudden, I didn’t feel too well. I tried my best to take the team as deep into the game to fulfill my responsibility to the team.’’
As was typical of Matsuzaka’s outings earlier this season, one bad inning resulted in most of the damage. After allowing just one over the first three innings, Matsuzaka was knocked around for five runs in the fourth.
The Rangers launched four extra-base hits, including two homers – one by noted Sox nemesis Frank Catalanotto, another by former Sox utilityman Ramon Vazquez.
Matsuzaka steadied himself with a scoreless fifth, then didn’t return, having thrown just 85 pitches, his lowest total of the season.
''The fact that he gutted it out,’’ said catcher Jason Varitek, ''says a lot.’’
The Sox believed that Matsuzaka was merely suffering from a 24-hour stomach bug, but as a precaution, he was given fluids – orally and intravenously – after the game.
They didn’t have to do much in the second against Texas starter Brandon McCarthy, who walked four in the span of five hitters. Jason Varitek had a sacrifice fly and Dustin Pedroia chipped in with a bases-loaded, opposite-field single. The Sox led, 4-0, after 1 1/2, and McCarthy was gone by the top of the third.
''Any time you can get into the bullpen early,’’ said Terry Francona, ''it’s really helpful – especially in the first game of a series.’’
Having lost the lead in the fourth, the Sox stormed back with two in the fifth and four more in the sixth. Ortiz drilled a run-scoring double down the right field line and Manny Ramirez followed with a single off the second-base bag, which kicked into left field.
Run-scoring hits from Jason Varitek (triple), Coco Crisp (double), Julio Lugo (single) and Youkilis (single) sparked the four-run sixth.
''We came right back (after falling behind),’’ said Francona, ''which was good. And one through nine, we had guys chipping in.’’
Indeed, every starter except slumping J.D. Drew and Mike Lowell contributed at least one hit and every starter except Pedroia scored at least one run.
With Matsuzaka gone from the game, the Sox got four innings of one-run relief from five relievers. The lone run against the relievers came on a wild pitch by Brendan Donnelly.
Otherwise, the pen was stellar, allowing just one hit and one walk while compiling three strikeouts.
Posted by Sean McAdam 
at 2:14 AM | Permalink
Dr. Mike Brennan | May 26, 2007 10:42 AM link
How often Sox fans are far more prone to criticism than credit. Whether on air or in print, comments are skewed towards the negative.
It is high time some appropriate praise be accorded Terry Francona. Over the last year and a half smothered in injuries and poor performances which are always layed on the manager, I think he has been a superior manger making tough decisions and exhibiting unprecedented patience. Great job Terry.