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Baseball Today: Wednesday, April 2 »
April 2, 2008
BY SEAN McADAM
Journal Sports Writer
OAKLAND -- Saturday night in Los Angeles, Kevin Youkilis met Steve Garvey for the first time.
Tuesday night, he tied him in the record book.
Youkilis played his 193rd consecutive game at first base without an error, tying the major league mark held by Garvey, who played errorless ball for the Dodgers and San Diego Padres from June 26, 1983 through April 14, 1985.
"I was told [about the record] after the game,'' said Youkilis. "I didn't know. I guess it's a great thing. Hopefully I can carry [the streak] on for a long time.''
"Good for him,'' said manager Terry Francona. ``He plays an aggressive first base. This is not a fluke. He makes throws, scoops balls and is very active. I think what this does is bring some attention to him nationally, where we can brag him about him a bit.''
Youkilis's feat is particularly noteworthy because he came up as a third baseman and had to learn first base on the fly.
"I try to get better on a daily basis,'' said Youkillis, who added that it was a "great honor'' to be linked with a player of Garvey's status.
Move over, Looie
Daisuke Matsuzaka became the first Red Sox pitcher to start twice in the first three games of a season since Luis Tiant did it in 1974. The Sox suffered two rainouts in the first week in '74, allowing for Tiant's feat.
Other Matsuzaka notes: He didn't walk anyone for only the fourth time in 34 major-league starts and for the first time since last May 30 . . . He retrieved the ball used for the final out from the stands and plans to preserve it as a keepsake for his newborn son.
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