Despite Matsuzaka's Mediocrity, Red Sox Roll To Their Fifth Straight Win...Boston 11 Philadelphia 6

It would be nice to say that Boston's Daisuke Matsuzaka continued the string of excellent performances from the Red Sox starting rotation but Saturday night in Philadelphia, that was not the case...not even close. He was only able to go 4 innings and allowed 4 runs on 7 hits while walking 1 and whiffing 3. He gave up 2 taters and (get this) had to throw 91 pitches in that short span. That's ridiculous and his hold on his starting rotation spot is getting more and more tenuous with John Smoltz ready, willing and able to join that quintet. He said this after his short outing...

"It would be a lie to say I'm completely stress-free," Matsuzaka said through translator Masa Hoshino. "But I also know that I have to be patient. At the same time, patience alone isn't going to get me out of this situation. I'm going to make a concerted effort to make some changes and get out of it. I'm not sure exactly how to say it. The pitches they hit were definitely mistakes, but I don't think that was the entire problem. There were other problems"

Daisuke, believe it or not, has allowed seventeen hits in his last 9 2/3 innings. NOT ACCEPTABLE. Whatever he is trying to "get out of," this is a serious problem and we all want to know what the hell is going on. But the Boston bats were booming and Jacoby Ellsbury's speed helped set the table for five Sox runs in the very first inning. Daisuke put a goose egg up on Philly's half of the scoreboard and then the rains came. After the delay, Matsuzaka looked like he just didn't have it. When a starter can go only four innings, it puts stress on that team's bullpen. But the Boston 'pen was up to the task. I guess it helps when your team is plating runners like Dominos bakes pizza. It was 5-4 Good Guys when Big Papi David Ortiz pinch hit for Matsuzaka in the top of the fifth. The Sox scored three in that frame and from there, it was clear sailing. An uneven Delcarmen, Okajima, Ramirez and Papelbon closed this one out as the Boston offense put the game out of reach. But the dilemna remains on the table...what to do with Daisuke with John Smoltz ready to go. We have to wait to learn the answer to that question.

This afternoon, Red Sox ace Josh Beckett will go against J.A. Happ. Beckett has been superb lately and I expect the same exact thing as Boston goes for yet another sweep. First pitch time will be at 1:35pm EDT before an off day on Monday. Boston will then face Florida and Atlanta in a 6 game homestand starting Tuesday. Let's win today and continue the winning streak. They now have the best record in the American League.

Enjoy your Sunday and as always, BE WELL. Your comments are welcome and answered every time. Don't forget, you can click on this post's title for more Red Sox news. See you...soon. Promise. GO SOX. Forever.