Projo Sox Blog

Josh Beckett toyed with the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park this afternoon, striking out 10 Rays and allowing only two hits to lead the Red Sox to an opening day win.

The Red Sox wasted no time putting runs on the board. Dustin Pedroia launched the second pitch he saw over the Green Monster to give the Red Sox at 1-0 lead in the first inning. Then the Red Sox strung together a series of singles, doubles, and walks to plate three runs in the third inning, giving them a 4-1 lead. Jason Varitek provided Beckett with an insurance run with a sixth inning home run off the right-field foul pole.

Becket hardly needed the breathing room. The Red Sox ace left after seven innings with a 5-1 lead, turning the ball over to Hideki Okajima, who allowed two runners to reach base. Justin Masterson came in to relieve Okajima in the eighth, and let the two runners score on a Evan Longoria single to center. Masterson was lights-out from that point on, however, and Jonathan Papelbon came on in the ninth to record the save.

 Tags  Dan Barbarisi Dustin Pedroia Jonathan Papelbon Josh Beckett

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