The Starter:
How do you spell: fantastic? B-E-C-K-E-T-T. Josh Beckett was money yesterday in a huge win for the Red Sox. Beckett looks like he has finally found his groove. He went 7 innings, struck out 8, allowed two hits, one run and walked 0. He struck out Ichiro Suzuki three times.
The 'Pen:
Rivalries were reborn when Brendan Donnelly struck out Jose Guillen. He was ejected for afterwards for nailing a batter, but his 0.1 inning was solid, huh? Hideki Okajima finished off the inning with a strikeout. Mike Timlin made his 2007 debut and struggled: 2 hits, 2 runs, 1 walk and 1 strikeout.
The Lineup:
The whole lineup was obviously great after a 14 run outburst, but Jason Varitek broke his slump and went 3-for-4 with 3 RBI and a walk. JD Drew hit his first home run as a Sox, scored a run and knocked in 3. Kevin Youkilis went 3-for-4 with 2 runs and an RBI.
The Field:
No errors are always a great thing.
Winner: Beckett. He deserves "The Mueller" for this one.
Winner: Timlin. He struggled and we have to ask: Are you really healthy, Mr. Timlin?
[editor's note, by Allen Chace] Also me, Allen, for owning a laptop whose battery died before I could put up a timely Open Thread yesterday.