Not only is Daisuke Matsuzaka’s arm fatigued, but Red Sox Nation is also after suffering through a 12 inning, four hour and 24 minute, 6-5 extra innings loss to Oakland.
Matsuzaka went just one inning — citing arm fatigue after being taken out of the game — giving up five runs on five hits, two walks and no strikeouts.
Boston spotted Dice-K a 3-0 lead after the first inning. It was the only lead the Red Sox would have.
Kevin Youkilis notched an RBI single. J.D. Drew followed with an RBI double plating Youkilis from first and Mike Lowell capped off the inning with an RBI single to center for the three run outburst.
Oakland scored five runs in the bottom half and Travis Buck would eventually bring home the game-winner in the bottom of the 12th on a high chopper to Dustin Pedroia. Buck legged out the infield single to drive in the winning run.
Star of the Game – Bullpen
If it weren’t for the likes of Justin Masterson and Manny Delcarmen combining for 5 2/3 innings the Red Sox may have never gotten a chance to tie the game in the fifth.
It’s understandable that the bullpen eventually lost this game for Boston but without Masterson and Delcarmen posting zeros on the scoreboard for virtually six innings this game could have gotten out of hand.
Next Game – Wed. 4/15 vs. Oakland Athletics – Tim Wakefield/Brett Anderson
Wakefield is 9-6 with a 4.17 ERA vs. Oakland in his career (37 games, 26 starts). Anderson, a rookie and 21 years of age, is 0-1 on the season with a 7.50 ERA in one start this season. The loss came against the Seattle Mariners. Anderson gave up seven hits over six innings pitched allowing five runs, all earned, in the loss.
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