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June 27, 2007
SEATTLE -- Daisuke Matsuzaka ended the month of June with a sparkling 1.59 ERA, but you wouldnt know it by looking at his won-loss record.
Matsuzaka escaped with a no-decision yesterday in the Sox 2-1, 11-inning loss, but deserved far better. He tossed nine innings of one-run ball, allowing just three hits along the way.
But because the Sox didnt score for him, he didnt get the victory he deserved.
So what else is new?
In those five June starts, the Red Sox scored a grand total of five runs for him. The miracle was that Matsuzaka managed to win two of those starts last Saturday against the Padres (2-1) and June 16 against the San Francisco Giants (1-0).
The last time the Sox scored more than two runs in a game while Matsuzaka was still on the mound was May 25, when they got beat Texas 10-6.
Matsuzaka shrugged off the issue of run support after the game.
``I feel like I pitch better when its a tight game, he said, ``so I cant complain about that.
Said manager Terry Francona: ``That stuff can go in cycles. You pitch according to the score. He did everything he could today; we just didnt score. But he wasnt hanging his head.
The American League All-Star team will be chosen Sunday, before Matsuzaka gets a chance to add to his win total (9). His ERA, wins and strikeouts (110) are worthy of selection, but with teammate Josh Beckett (11-1, 3.07) a lock, and a handful of starters deserving (C.C. Sabathia, John Lackey, Justin Verlander, Dan Haren), Matsuzaka might be passed over.
The Sox made a determination yesterday that Curt Schilling (shoulder tendonitis) wont pitch again until after the All-Star break.
Schilling is eligible to come off the DL Wednesday, July 4, but hasnt thrown since being shutdown following his last start, June 18 in Atlanta.
Hell be re-examined Monday by the medical staff, at which time a throwing program will be laid out.
``He can throw now, said Francona, ``but we want him to be able to finish the season and be a consistently good pitcher.
``Ill do whatever I have to do (to get back), said Schilling as he packed his bags after yesterdays loss.
Yesterdays appearance a losing one, as it turned out was the first here for ex-Mariner Joel Pineiro.
Pineiro rolled his ankle Monday during stretching exercises and was thought to be unavailable, but at gametime, told the staff he could pitch if needed.
By the 11th, with the bullpen chewed up the first two games of the series and Hideki Okajima and Jonathan Papelbon already used, he was the choice.
``It was sore, said Pineiro of the ankle, ``but once you get out there, you dont think about the pain.
As for facing his former teammates in his former ballpark, he said: ``I thought more about (being here) the first day. Today, my mind was just focused on making a good pitch.
Yesterday was just the fifth hitless game in the last 44 for Kevin YoukilisThe Sox are 19-5 in day games this season, the best percentage in baseball. They are 12-0 at home and 7-5 on the roadLeftover from Tuesdays loss: the 14 hits the Sox collected were the most theyve had in a loss since Aug. 18, 2006, when they lost 14-11. Also, the seven runs scored were the most in a defeat this season and the most since a 10-9 setback to Kansas City on Sept. 8, 2006Coco Crisp has his 18th multi-hit game of the season and has lifted his average to .262Crisp was cut down stealing in the first for only the fifth time this season. Hes 15-for-20 in attempts this year.
Posted by Thom Cahir 
at 10:29 PM to McAdam
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