Opening Day in Japan

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Game Summary

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Line Score

Pitching Stats

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Opening Dawn Live Coverage

• Commentary in ITALICS - All times are EST
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End of Game

• The Boston Red Sox have defeated the Oakland Athletics by the score of 4-3 in 10 innings.
• FINAL THOUGHTS: Red Sox were lucky to survive that one. Oakland was very scrappy all game long, they won't be an easy team to beat this season, especially when they get Chavez back from injury. Brandon Moss stepped up big for Boston, and I'm sure the Boston media will be in a feeding frenzy with the J.D. Drew mystery injury just prior to game time. I'm sure WEEI will also have callers all day long talking about Manny's base running antics, but they got the win, which is all that should matter.

Bottom of the 10th Inning

• For OAKLAND, 1 run, 3 hits, 2 LOB.
• Suzuki grounds out Youkilis to Papelbon at first to end the game.
• Hannahan singles to left, Crosby moves to second. - Oakland showing some spirit here in the 10th inning trying to see if they can tie it up and/or win it. If they do win it, nobody will be happier than Emil Brown.
• Crosby singles to center.
• E. Brown doubles to right-center field, scoring Barton from first, but then Brown is tagged out on a rundown between second and third. Athletics trail 6-5. - Terrible base running by Brown, and a great cutoff by Youkilis to get Brown rounding second too far and then execute the rundown defensively.
• Cust strikes out swinging.
• Barton draws a walk to lead off the inning.
• PITCHING CHANGE: Okajima is replaced by Jonathan Papelbon - he'll face 3-4-5 in the order for the A's. - Crisp stays in the game in center field, Ellsbury moves to left, and Alex Cora replaces Lugo at shortstop.

Top of the 10th Inning

• For BOSTON, 2 runs, 2 hits, 2 LOB.
• Moss flies out to left to end the inning.
• Lowell is intentionally walked, runners at 1st & 2nd
• PITCHING CHANGE: Street is replaced by Lenny DiNardo and Coco Crisp pinch runs for Ramirez
• Ramirez lines a double off the wall in right-center to drive home both Lugo and Ortiz - Red Sox lead 6-4 - Shades of last year's playoff game in Cleveland - Manny hits it and stands to admire, thinking it's going out, then has to hustle to make it into second safely with a double. When he first hit it, his body language initally made me think he fouled it back - then he dropped the bat, and it didn't look like he got all of it either.
• Ortiz is being intentionally walked, runners at 1st & 2nd. - I would have pitched to Ortiz here. He has struggled today, where as Ramirez seems locked in.
• Youkilis strikes out swinging for the second out.
• Pedroia sacrifices, out is Barton to Ellis covering at first, runner advances to second. - Boston had only 30 sacrifices all year last year, but that was a good spot to do so with the big bats coming up.
• Lugo reaches on an infield single at third.
• Red Sox were 2-5 in extra inning games last season, A's were 11-5.

Bottom of the 9th Inning

• For OAKLAND, 0 runs, 0 hits, 1 LOB.
• Ellis grounds out to the pitcher to end the inning.
• Buck flies out to center - Okajima left on out over the middle of the plate and got away with one there.
• M. Sweeney pinch hitting for R. Sweeney and draws a walk - Fiorentino pinch running at first for M. Sweeney
• Suzuki strikes out for the first out. - He was without question the unsung hero of the Sox staff in 2007 - nast stuff and changes speeds so effectively.
• PITCHING CHANGE: Corey is replaced by Hideki Okajima - he'll face 8-9-1 in the order.

Top of the 9th Inning

• For BOSTON, 1 run, 1 hit, 0 LOB.
• Ellsbury flies out to left to end the inning.
• Varitek strikes out for the second out of the inning.
• Moss blasts one to deep right field and it's outta here! - HOME RUN - Red Sox tie game at 4-4
• Lowell flies out to center field for the first out.
• Red Sox down to their last 3 outs against Oakland's closer.
• PITCHING CHANGE: Foulke is replaced by Huston Street

Bottom of the 8th Inning

• For OAKLAND, 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 LOB.
• Hannahan grounds out back to the mound on the first pitch - inning over.
• Crosby grounds out in front of the plate for the second out.
• E. Brown flies out to deep center. - Ellsbury crashes into the wall and makes a sensational catch.
• PITCHING CHANGE: Lopez is replaced by Bryan Corey

Top of the 8th Inning

• For BOSTON, 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 LOB.
• Ramirez strikes out looking at a 2-2 slider to end the inning. - Foulke answered the challenge.
• Ortiz flies to left field. - Ortiz finished last season with an injured knee that was affecting his swing, and it looks like his timing isn't back just yet.
• Youkilis flies out to the warning track in deep center field.
• PITCHING CHANGE: Embree is replaced by Keith Foulke. - The former closer for the Sox who had been out of baseball has struggled in his attempted comeback this spring. Still, no better way to get into the flow of a season that to see how he does against Youkilis, Ortiz and Ramirez.

Bottom of the 7th Inning

• For OAKLAND, 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 LOB.
• Barton called out on strikes to end the inning.
• Barton lines out to first for the second out.
• PITCHING CHANGE: Snyder is replaced by Javier Lopez
• Ellis flies out to center for the first out.

Top of the 7th Inning

• For BOSTON, 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 LOB.
• Pedroia grounds out to the pitcher Embree to end the inning.
• Lugo hits into a double play, second to short to first, two outs.
• Ellsbury singles to left to lead off the inning.

Bottom of the 6th Inning

• For OAKLAND, 2 runs, 2 hits, 0 LOB.
• Buck pops out to Pedroia at second to end the inning.
• R. Sweeney grounds out to first on a broken bat ground out.
• Suzuki strikes out on a foul tip.
• Hannahan drives a long fly ball to deep right and gone. HOME RUN - Athletics lead 4-3
• Crosby singles up the middle for a lead-off single.
• PITCHING CHANGE: Matsuzaka is replaced by Kyle Snyder
• Oakland a little shell-shocked right now as Boston does what they have done so often the last few years, exploding at the right time. Now we'll see if the Sox bullpen can hold the lead.

Top of the 6th Inning

• For BOSTON, 2 runs, 2 hits, 1 LOB.
• Moss singles to right field, scoring Ramirez. Red Sox lead 3-2, Moss takes second on the throw to the plate.
• PITCHING CHANGE: Blanton is replaced by Alan Embree.
• Lowell strikes out for the 2nd out of the inning.
• Ramirez doubles down the left field line, scoring both Pedroia and Youkilis - Red Sox tie the game at 2-2 - Just inside the bag at third and down the line - ManRam delivers another clutch hit.
• Ortiz fouls out to Hannahan at the edge of the fence down the third base line. Papi hasn't looked comfortable at all in any of his at bats.
• Youkilis draws a walk, runners now on 1st & 2nd. - As much as Matsuzaka struggled the first few innings, he did reach the 6th with only 2 runs allowed - kind of feels like if the Red Sox are going to score today, this is the inning they will do so, especially with the heart of the order up there.
• Pedroia leads off with a double off the right field wall.

Bottom of the 5th Inning

• For OAKLAND, 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 LOB.
• E. Brown grounds sharply to third to end the inning.
• Cust strikes out for the second out. Where was this the first 3 innings, Red Sox Nation must be asking?
• Barton strikes out for the first out.
• Very surprised to see Matsuzaka out for another inning

Top of the 5th Inning

• For BOSTON, 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 LOB - Blanton has now retired 7 in a row and seems locked in right now, getting ahead of the hitters and getting them to chase pitches out of the zone.
• Lugo grounds out to short to end the inning.
• Ellsbury grounds out to first for the second out.
• Varitek strikes out - Blanton uses that "circle change" to get Varitek chasing a 1-2 pitch.

Bottom of the 4th Inning

• For OAKLAND, 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 LOB
• Ellis grounds out to second. - Matsuzaka finally gets a 1-2-3 inning, but probably won't pitch in the 5th...
• Buck strikes out looking. - Selig is asked by Steve Phillips about the Roger Clemens situation and tap dances around the answer.
• R. Sweeney flies out to left for the first out.
• Probably the last inning for Matsuzaka, who has thrown 75 pitches entering the inning.

Top of the 4th Inning

• For BOSTON, 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 LOB.
• Moss grounds out to first base, unassisted. - Blanton is not overwhelming them, but he's pitching well, making them hit it where his fielders are.
• Lowell flies to deep center for the second out. - On the ESPN2 telecast, they are interview Commissioner Bud Selig right now.
• Ramirez flies out to right.

Bottom of the 3rd Inning

• For OAKLAND, 0 runs, o hits, 1 LOB
• Suzuki lines to short to end the inning.
• Hannahan draws a walk on a 3-2 count. - 5th walk for Matsuzaka... he is really scuffling out there trying to find the strike zone. The umpire isn't squeezing him either, Matsuzaka has not able to locate on consecutive pitches all game long.
• Crosby grounds out to Matsuzaka for second out.
• E. Brown pops out to first for the first out.
• Boy does Matsuzaka and the Sox need a 3 up, 3 down inning right now.

Top of the 3rd Inning

• For BOSTON, 0 runs, 2 hits, 2 LOB.
• Ortiz grounds out to second to end the inning. - Oakland playing that shift towards the right side and Ellis, in short right field, is able to make the play easily to end the inning.
• Youkilis reaches on an infield single. - A shot inside the bag at third that Hannahan stretches out to grab and make a strong throw across the diamond but was too late. Now comes "Big Papi" with 2 on and 2 out...
• Pedroia flies out to Sweeney in right-center field. - Typical pitching effort by Blanton so far, in terms of throwing pitches over the plate and letting hitters make outs, rather than trying to nibble on the corners. Blanton will likely be one of a few big name hurlers available at the trade deadline if the A's struggle to compete as many feel they will this year.
• Lugo singles up the middle.
• Ellsbury strikes out looking for the first out.

Bottom of the 2nd Inning

• For OAKLAND, 0 runs, 1 hit, 3 LOB
• Cust is called out on strikes to end the inning. Questionable strike three down and in - Matsuzaka gets out of the jam.
• Barton draws a walk to load the bases. - Pitching coach for the Red Sox, John Farrell, heads to the mound. Matsuzaka has now thrown 55 pitches in this game, and we are still in the second inning. Action in the bullpen for Boston as Taveres is getting loose.
• Ellis draws a walk, runners now on 1st & 2nd.
• Buck strikes out on a 3-2 fastball, but on the play Suzuki steals second. - Matsuzaka now over 40 pitches in just 2 innings.
• R. Sweeney hits a towering fly ball caught in right field fro the first out.
• Suzuki leads off with a single up the middle

Top of the 2nd Inning

• For BOSTON, 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 LOB - Blanton has a reputation of throwing strikes in the middle of the plate early in the count and he is so far, but the normally patient Red Sox line-up is swinging at a lot of early pitches and it's not working for them so far.
• Varitek grounds into a double play, short to second to first. - Great scoop at first by Barton.
• Moss grounds into a force out, second to short. - Nice play by Ellis ranging behind the bag at second and flipping to Crosby for the force out.
• Lowell singles to center to start the inning.

Bottom of the 1st Inning

• For OAKLAND, 2 runs, 1 hit, 2 LOB
• Hannahan strikes out to end the inning.
• Crosby - grounds out to Matsuzaka - scoring Barton - Athletics lead 2-0
• E. Brown draws a walk to load the bases.
• Wild Pitch by Matsuzaka allows runners to move up to 2nd & 3rd with one out. - Matsuzaka has thrown 18 pitches already this inning - word was before the game he's on a pitch count of 90 max today.
• Cust is hit by the pitch on a 2-2 count. - Matsuzaka is really struggling with his control right now.
• Barton draws a walk. - Only 3 strikes in first 10 pitches
• Ellis drives one to left-center and over the wall for a HOME RUN - Athletics lead 1-0 - Matsuzaka left that one out over the plate with no real movement on it.
• Buck grounds out to second on the first pitch.
• 6:18 AM: Matsuzaka gets a standing ovation from the Japanese fans.

Top of the 1st Inning

• For BOSTON, 0 runs, 1 hit, 1 LOB.
• Ramirez flies out to right.
• Ortiz pops up to third on the first pitch, two away. - Ortiz surprisingly swings at the first pitch, a fastball away.
• Youkilis grounds out to third, Pedroia moves to second. - Oakland's third baseman Hannahan briefly bobbled the ball but made a strong throw.
• Pedroia singles up the middle on an 0-1 fastball. - Surprised that it's Pedroia, not Ellsbury in the lead-off spot.
• 6:08 AM: The A's have taken the field.

Pre-Game

• Awaiting first pitch from a sellout Tokyo Dome
• JD Drew's back apparently is acting up and he was scratched just before the game started. It is a full house in Tokyo. Eric Chavez is out for the A's.

Game Preview

• This is the third time that the baseball season has officially started in Japan, but the first time a defending World Series champion will do so. The Red Sox elected to hand the ball to Daisuke Matsuzaka, but not for the obvious reason you would think. Josh Beckett is working through some shoulder and back discomfort that he's experienced during spring training, and Curt Schilling has been placed on the 60-day disabled list with a shoulder injury that could threaten what he hoped would be his final season. So manager Terry Francona confidently tabbed Matzuzaka, who was 15-12 with an ERA of 4.40 in his first MLB campaign. Of course he's not the only pitcher making a triumphant return to his native country; reliever Hideki Okajima actually made the all-star game last season, and his quality work in the bullpen was one of the reasons the Red Sox pitching staff was able to help the offense deliver the team's second championship in four years. With Beckett and Schilling out, the Sox will need solid efforts from Jon Lester (back from cancer) and newly acquired Bartolo Colon.
• The main changes for the offense this season comes in the form of the addition of rookie center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury, who will be the starter ahead of Coco Crisp. Veteran Sean Casey was added to provide depth off the bench, but the Sox will continue to rely on the meat of their batting order, led by David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez, Mike Lowell, J.D. Drew, and Kevin Youkilis.
  
• While fans in Boston are expecting nothing less than a return trip to the World Series, fans in Oakland are trying to adjust to another off-season in which several of their favorites were sent elsewhere. Gone from last season are Dan Haren, Nick Swisher, Mark Kotsay, and Marco Scutaro. In addition, the team will begin the season without their best player, all-star third baseman Eric Chavez, who is recovering still from surgeries on both of his shoulders. Where the team can hang their hat is their ability to still develop young starting pitching talent. Leading the charge will be opening day starter Joe Blanton, and the team is very pleased with the spring training progression of the often injured Rich Harden. If they and the other starters can get into the late innings with the lead, the A's have one of the best closers in the game in Huston Street, as well as great set-up men in Alan Embree and Santiago Casilla.
• On offense, the A's will need to Travis Buck and Mark Ellis to generate run-producing chances for Jack Cust, one of the surprise arrivals in 2007. Cust and former Mark Sweeney will gbe asked to help provide the punch to the offense. Jack Hannahan will fill in at the hot corner until Chavez is ready to return, which could be the middle of April. The team hopes to have Chavez ready to at least DH next week, but they will evaluate his status again next weekend.

Opening Day in Japan News

• MLB.com: Opening Series 2008
• Official Team Sites: Boston Red Sox | Oakland Athletics
• Boston Globe: "Far away, a title defense begins" March 24, 2008
• Inside Bay Area.com: "Blanton settles in at top spot of rotation" (March 24, 2008)
• Boston.com: "Again, Matsuzaka will be main event" (March 24, 2008)
• Boston.com: More Red Sox News and Commentary
• Inside Bay Area.com: More Athletics News and Commentary
• Topix.net: Opening Day in Japan
• Google News: Opening Day in Japan

Opening Day in Japan Blogs and Commentaries

• Boston.com: "Beckett to DL; Casey, Wakefield, Timlin inactive" (March 24, 2008)
• Inside Bay Area.com: "Health is key for A's run" (March 24, 2008)
• Boston.com Red Sox Blog: Extra Bases
• Google Blog Search: Opening Day in Japan

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