The remarkably up-and-down season of Daisuke Matsuzaka continues. Tonight was definitely one of the high points.
Through 23 outs, the Philadelphia Phillies could not record a hit off of Daisuke. While he allowed his typical walks, and had a few dangerous fly balls, Daisuke managed to quiet the Philadelphia bats through the first 7 innings, recording 5 strikeouts. In the 8th, with 2 outs, Juan Castro swung at a 3-1 inside fastball, and blooped it just barely beyond the reach of Marco Scutaro's outstretched glove in left-center. It was an anti-climactic end, but a very good run by Daisuke.
The Sox gave Daisuke all he needed in the 4th quarter when J.D. Drew hit a leadoff single, and was doubled in by Adrian Beltre. But it was in the 5th inning when they really broke it open. After Marco Scutaro and Jacoby Ellsbury reached to lead off the inning around a Matsuzaka sacrifice bunt, Drew, Ortiz, and Adrian Beltre put together 3 straight 2-out hits to score 4 runs, and go up 5-0.
Daniel Bard closed out the 9th inning, and set the Sox up for a very difficult rubber game against Roy Halladay tomorrow. Hopefully, Tim Wakefield can imitate Daisuke.
Never thought I'd be saying that.