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POSTGAME: Pedroia, Youkilis lead the way, again. »
October 25, 2007
DUSTIN PEDROIA hit a home run to lead off the bottom of the 1st inning, the 18th time in World Series history a player has hit a lead off home run to start a World Series game for his team, the first since JOHNNY DAMON did for the Red Sox on October 27, 2004 (Game 4). He is the 2nd player to lead off the 1st game of a World Series with a home run, joining DON BUFORD, who homered for Baltimore in Game 1 of the 1969 World Series against the Mets (Oct. 11). Pedroia is the 1st rookie to hit a leadoff homer to start a game.
BEC-K-ETT: JOSH BECKETT struck out the side in the 1st inning, the 24th time in World Series play a pitcher has struck out all 3 batters in the 1st inning and the first since the Yankees’ ORLANDO HERNANDEZ struck out the first three Mets in Game 3 of the 2000 World Series (Oct. 24). Beckett’s 4 consecutive strikeouts are the 3rd most ever to start a World Series game, behind SANDY KOUFAX (LA, Oct. 2, 1963 vs, NYY) and MORT COOPER (STL, Oct. 11, 1943 vs. NYY). Beckett surrendered just his 2nd walk of this postseason with a 5th-inning pass to RYAN SPILBORGHS.
STARTING GAMES IN BOTH LEAGUES: JOSH BECKETT became the 19th pitcher to start a World Series game in both leagues, as he previously opened for Florida in 2003. He is the 1st to so since ROGER CLEMENS and ANDY PETTITTE for Houston in 2005 after starting for New York (AL) on multiple occasions.
JEFF FRANCIS pitched 4.0 innings, his shortest start since lasting 3.1 innings on Sept. 13 at Philadelphia. The 10 hits allowed by Francis were his most surrendered since July 23 against San Diego. Francis line: 4.0 ip, 10 h, 6 r-er, 3 bb -2 ibb, 3 so, 1 hr., 25 batters, 103 pitches, 62 strikes. FRANKLIN MORALES relieved Francis to start the 5th inning. His pitching line 0.2 ip, 6 h, 7 r-er, 1 bb, 0 so, 1 Balk…Morales was called for a balk with JACOBY ELLSBURY on 1st base in the 5th inning. It is the 1st balk since New York’s DAVID WEATHERS in Game 4 of the 1996 World Series (Oct. 23).
BIG INNING, BIG RUNS: The Red Sox scored 3 first inning runs in the 1st and 5th innings, now 14 times this postseason the team has scored 3 or more runs in an inning…Boston scored 3 runs in each of its 3 ALDS victories over the Angels and scored 3 or more 9 times in games in the ALCS against Cleveland. The Red Sox have scored 10 or more runs in 3 straight postseason games, becoming the 1st team to do it in history.
ROOKIES ABOUND: Boston started a pair of rookies in tonight’s game – DUSTIN PEDROIA and JACOBY ELLSBURY – the 1st World Series team since the New York Mets in 2000 (Timo Perez and Jay Payton) to start two rookie position players in Game One of a World Series. TROY TULOWITZKI became the 5th rookie shortstop to start a World Series game since 1969, joining DAVE CONCEPCION (1970), WALT WEISS (1988), KEVIN STOCKER (1993) and DEREK JETER (1996).
SHORTS: The Red Sox totaled 9 extra base hits through 5 innings, matching a World Series record for most in a single-game, done once previously by Pittsburgh against Washington on Oct. 15, 1925. MANNY RAMIREZ collected his 63rd career postseason RBI in the 1st inning, tying DAVID JUSTICE for 2nd most ever in postseason play, behind DEREK JETER (80).
DOUBLES RECORDS: Through 5 innings, the teams combined for 11 doubles (Boston – 8, Colorado – 3), tying a Series record for most by both clubs combined (Chicago (AL)/Chicago (NL), Oct. 13, 1906). The 8 doubles by Boston match the most-ever in a World Series game, done twice previously, (Chicago (AL), Oct. 13, 1906 & Pit (NL), Oct. 15, 1925).
BATTING AROUND: Four Red Sox players batted twice in the 5th inning, with the last, KEVIN YOUKILIS, becoming the 101st player in World Series history to hit twice in an inning.
THREE STRAIGHT WALKS: The Red Sox drew three consecutive walks in the 5th inning off RYAN SPEIER, matching a World Series record for most consecutive walks issued, done by Boston’s TIM WAKEFIELD on Oct. 23, 2004 in the 4th inning against St. Louis.
RUN DIFFERENTIAL: Through 5 innings, the Red Sox held a 12-run lead, 13-1. The record run differential for a World Series game is 14, 18-4 Yankees over the Giants, Oct. 2, 1936. The last games to end with a 12-run differential came on October 24, 2002, San Francisco 16, Anaheim 4.
Posted by Art Martone 
at 1:40 AM | Permalink
