Friday, August 29, 2008 – Boston Red Sox ace Josh Beckett was scheduled to start tonight, but went on the DL instead, and Daisuke Matsuzaka took his place instead…and pitched excellently.
The Red Sox defeated the 1st place Chicago White Sox easily, 8-0.
The Red Sox started out well, scoring a run in the first inning on a fielder’s choice. In the 5th, Ortiz doubled in a run, and then new Red Sox right fielder Mark Kotsay got his first RBI for the Red Sox.
The game was broken open in the 6th inning, when Michael Bay hit a based-loaded double.
Coco Crisp had been scheduled to start in center tonight, but got the game off due to the flu, and so Jacoby Ellsbury took his place. Ellsbury went 0-4.
Dustin Pedroia went 4 for 4, however, and scored 3 runs himself.
Kevin Youkilis also continues with a hot bat.