AL: CLEVELAND at BOSTON <div class="pre">AL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E - - - - - - - - - - - - CLEVELAND 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 3 6 0 BOSTON 1 0 4 0 3 2 0 0 10 12 0 (TOP 9) CURRENT PITCHERS: CLE - JOE BOROWSKI BOS - JAVIER LOPEZ DUE UP FOR CLEVELAND: R GARKO (.500, 1-FOR-2, HBP) J PERALTA (.000, 0-FOR-3) K LOFTON (.333, 1-FOR-3)</div>
AL: CLEVELAND at BOSTON <div class="pre">CLEVELAND (3) VS BOSTON (10) - END 8TH - IN PROGRESS CLEVELAND ab r h rbi bb so lob avg G Sizemore cf 4 0 0 0 0 2 1 .000 A Cabrera 2b 3 0 1 2 0 1 0 .333 T Hafner dh 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 .333 V Martinez c 4 0 0 0 0 1 2 .000 R Garko 1b 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 .500 J Peralta ss 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 .000 K Lofton lf 3 0 1 0 0 1 1 .333 F Gutierrez rf 3 0 0 0 0 2 2 .000 C Blake 3b 3 2 2 0 0 0 0 .667 Totals 28 3 6 3 1 8 9 BATTING: 2B - K Lofton (1, J Beckett); C Blake 2 (2, J Beckett, J Lopez). HR - T Hafner (1, 1st inning off J Beckett 0 on, 2 Out). SF - A Cabrera. RBI - T Hafner (1), A Cabrera 2 (2). 2-out RBI - T Hafner. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - V Martinez 1, F Gutierrez 1. GIDP - J Peralta. Team LOB - 4. FIELDING: Outfield assists - F Gutierrez (M Lowell at 3rd base). DP: 1 (A Cabrera-J Peralta-R Garko). BOSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg D Pedroia 2b 4 1 1 0 0 1 1 .250 K Youkilis 1b 4 3 2 0 1 0 1 .500 D Ortiz dh 2 2 2 0 2 0 0 1.000 M Ramirez lf 2 2 2 3 3 0 0 1.000 J Ellsbury pr 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 M Lowell 3b 3 0 1 3 1 0 6 .333 B Kielty rf 2 1 1 2 1 1 1 .500 a-J Drew ph-rf 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 .000 J Varitek c 5 0 1 2 0 2 4 .200 C Crisp cf 4 0 1 0 0 1 3 .250 J Lugo ss 4 1 1 0 0 0 2 .250 Totals 32 10 12 10 8 5 20 a-flied out to center for B Kielty in the 6th. BATTING: 2B - J Lugo (1, C Sabathia); M Lowell (1, C Sabathia); J Varitek (1, J Lewis); C Crisp (1, T Mastny); D Ortiz (1, J Borowski). S - D Pedroia. SF - M Lowell. RBI - M Ramirez 3 (3), M Lowell 3 (3), J Varitek 2 (2), B Kielty 2 (2). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - C Crisp 2, J Varitek 3, J Lugo 1, K Youkilis 1. GIDP - M Lowell. Team LOB - 9. FIELDING: DP: 1 (J Lugo-D Pedroia-K Youkilis). ---------------------------------------------------- CLEVELAND - 100 001 01 -- 3 BOSTON - 104 032 00 -- 10 ---------------------------------------------------- CLEVELAND ip h r er bb so hr era C Sabathia 4 1/3 7 8 8 5 3 0 16.62 J Lewis 2/3 3 2 2 0 0 0 27.00 A Fultz 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 ### T Mastny 2 1 0 0 0 2 0 0.00 J Borowski 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0.00 BOSTON ip h r er bb so hr era J Beckett 6 4 2 2 0 7 1 3.00 M Timlin 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0.00 J Lopez 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 9.00 J Lewis pitched to 2 batters in the 6th. A Fultz pitched to 2 batters in the 6th. WP - J Beckett. IBB - B Kielty (by C Sabathia). HBP - D Ortiz (by C Sabathia); R Garko (by J Beckett). Pitches-strikes: C Sabathia 85-44; J Lewis 23-15; A Fultz 12-4; T Mastny 26-16; J Borowski 19-10; J Beckett 80-53; M Timlin 19-13; J Lopez 25-15. Ground balls-fly balls: C Sabathia 6-3; J Lewis 0-2; A Fultz 0-0; T Mastny 0-4; J Borowski 1-2; J Beckett 8-3; M Timlin 1-1; J Lopez 1-2. Batters faced: C Sabathia 24; J Lewis 5; A Fultz 2; T Mastny 7; J Borowski 5; J Beckett 22; M Timlin 4; J Lopez 5. UMPIRES: HP--Randy Marsh. 1B--Kerwin Danley. 2B--Brian Gorman. 3B--Paul Emmel. LF--Gary Cederstrom. RF--Dana Demuth. Weather: 54 degrees, cloudy. Wind: 21 mph, out to center.</div>
AL: CLEVELAND at BOSTON <div class="pre">AL AT BOSTON - MID INNING UPDATE PLAY: J Ellsbury in left field. SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS CURRENT SCORE: CLEVELAND 3 BOSTON 10 TOP, 9TH DUE UP FOR CLEVELAND: R Garko (.500, 1-FOR-2)</div>
AL: CLEVELAND at BOSTON <div class="pre">AL AT BOSTON - PITCHING CHANGE BOS: ERIC GAGNE (NO RECORD) STARTING THE 9TH CURRENT SCORE: CLEVELAND 3, BOSTON 10 DUE UP FOR CLEVELAND: R GARKO (.500, 1-FOR-2)</div>
AL: CLEVELAND at BOSTON <div class="pre">AL AT BOSTON - MID INNING UPDATE PLAY: E Gagne relieved J Lopez. SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS CURRENT SCORE: CLEVELAND 3 BOSTON 10 TOP, 9TH DUE UP FOR CLEVELAND: R Garko (.500, 1-FOR-2)</div>
AL: CLEVELAND at BOSTON <div class="pre">AL AT BOSTON - MID INNING UPDATE PLAY: C Gomez hit for R Garko. SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS CURRENT SCORE: CLEVELAND 3 BOSTON 10 TOP, 9TH DUE UP FOR CLEVELAND: C Gomez (.000, 0 HR, 0 RBI)</div>
AL: CLEVELAND at BOSTON <div class="pre">AL FINAL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E - - - - - - - - - - - - CLEVELAND 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 3 8 0 BOSTON 1 0 4 0 3 2 0 0 x 10 12 0 (FINAL) BATTERIES: CLE - C.C. SABATHIA, JENSEN LEWIS (5TH), AARON FULTZ (6TH), TOM MASTNY (6TH), JOE BOROWSKI (8TH) AND VICTOR MARTINEZ BOS - JOSH BECKETT, MIKE TIMLIN (7TH), JAVIER LOPEZ (8TH), ERIC GAGNE (9TH) AND JASON VARITEK HOME RUNS: CLE - TRAVIS HAFNER (1) OFF JOSH BECKETT IN THE 1ST, 0 ON BOS - NONE</div>
AL: CLEVELAND at BOSTON <div class="pre">AL FINAL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E - - - - - - - - - - - - CLEVELAND 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 3 8 0 BOSTON 1 0 4 0 3 2 0 0 x 10 12 0 (FINAL) BATTERIES: CLE - C.C. SABATHIA, JENSEN LEWIS (5TH), AARON FULTZ (6TH), TOM MASTNY (6TH), JOE BOROWSKI (8TH) AND VICTOR MARTINEZ BOS - JOSH BECKETT, MIKE TIMLIN (7TH), JAVIER LOPEZ (8TH), ERIC GAGNE (9TH) AND JASON VARITEK WP - JOSH BECKETT (1-0) LP - C.C. SABATHIA (0-1) SAVE - NONE HOME RUNS: CLE - TRAVIS HAFNER (1) OFF JOSH BECKETT IN THE 1ST, 0 ON BOS - NONE TIME: 3:35 ATT: 36,986 PROBABLES: CLE - FAUSTO CARMONA (NR) BOS - CURT SCHILLING (NR)</div>
AL: CLEVELAND at BOSTON <div class="pre">CLEVELAND (3) VS BOSTON (10) - FINAL CLEVELAND ab r h rbi bb so lob avg G Sizemore cf 5 0 0 0 0 3 4 .000 A Cabrera 2b 3 0 1 2 0 1 0 .333 T Hafner dh 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 .333 V Martinez c 4 0 0 0 0 1 2 .000 R Garko 1b 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 .500 a-C Gomez ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .000 J Peralta ss 4 0 1 0 0 0 2 .250 K Lofton lf 4 0 2 0 0 1 1 .500 F Gutierrez rf 4 0 0 0 0 3 4 .000 C Blake 3b 3 2 2 0 1 0 0 .667 Totals 33 3 8 3 2 11 14 a-struck out swinging for R Garko in the 9th. BATTING: 2B - K Lofton 2 (2, E Gagne, J Beckett); C Blake 2 (2, J Beckett, J Lopez). HR - T Hafner (1, 1st inning off J Beckett 0 on, 2 Out). SF - A Cabrera. RBI - T Hafner (1), A Cabrera 2 (2). 2-out RBI - T Hafner. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - V Martinez 1, F Gutierrez 1, G Sizemore 2. GIDP - J Peralta. Team LOB - 7. FIELDING: Outfield assists - F Gutierrez (M Lowell at 3rd base). DP: 1 (A Cabrera-J Peralta-R Garko). BOSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg D Pedroia 2b 4 1 1 0 0 1 1 .250 K Youkilis 1b 4 3 2 0 1 0 1 .500 D Ortiz dh 2 2 2 0 2 0 0 1.000 M Ramirez lf 2 2 2 3 3 0 0 1.000 J Ellsbury pr-lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 M Lowell 3b 3 0 1 3 1 0 6 .333 B Kielty rf 2 1 1 2 1 1 1 .500 a-J Drew ph-rf 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 .000 J Varitek c 5 0 1 2 0 2 4 .200 C Crisp cf 4 0 1 0 0 1 3 .250 J Lugo ss 4 1 1 0 0 0 2 .250 Totals 32 10 12 10 8 5 20 a-flied out to center for B Kielty in the 6th. BATTING: 2B - J Lugo (1, C Sabathia); M Lowell (1, C Sabathia); J Varitek (1, J Lewis); C Crisp (1, T Mastny); D Ortiz (1, J Borowski). S - D Pedroia. SF - M Lowell. RBI - M Ramirez 3 (3), M Lowell 3 (3), J Varitek 2 (2), B Kielty 2 (2). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - C Crisp 2, J Varitek 3, J Lugo 1, K Youkilis 1. GIDP - M Lowell. Team LOB - 9. FIELDING: DP: 1 (J Lugo-D Pedroia-K Youkilis). ---------------------------------------------------- CLEVELAND - 100 001 010 -- 3 BOSTON - 104 032 00x -- 10 ---------------------------------------------------- CLEVELAND ip h r er bb so hr era C Sabathia (L, 0-1) 4 1/3 7 8 8 5 3 0 16.62 J Lewis 2/3 3 2 2 0 0 0 27.00 A Fultz 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 ### T Mastny 2 1 0 0 0 2 0 0.00 J Borowski 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0.00 BOSTON ip h r er bb so hr era J Beckett (W, 1-0) 6 4 2 2 0 7 1 3.00 M Timlin 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0.00 J Lopez 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 9.00 E Gagne 1 2 0 0 1 3 0 0.00 J Lewis pitched to 2 batters in the 6th. A Fultz pitched to 2 batters in the 6th. WP - J Beckett. IBB - B Kielty (by C Sabathia). HBP - D Ortiz (by C Sabathia); R Garko (by J Beckett). Pitches-strikes: C Sabathia 85-44; J Lewis 23-15; A Fultz 12-4; T Mastny 26-16; J Borowski 19-10; J Beckett 80-53; M Timlin 19-13; J Lopez 25-15; E Gagne 26-14. Ground balls-fly balls: C Sabathia 6-3; J Lewis 0-2; A Fultz 0-0; T Mastny 0-4; J Borowski 1-2; J Beckett 8-3; M Timlin 1-1; J Lopez 1-2; E Gagne 0-0. Batters faced: C Sabathia 24; J Lewis 5; A Fultz 2; T Mastny 7; J Borowski 5; J Beckett 22; M Timlin 4; J Lopez 5; E Gagne 6. UMPIRES: HP--Randy Marsh. 1B--Kerwin Danley. 2B--Brian Gorman. 3B--Paul Emmel. LF--Gary Cederstrom. RF--Dana Demuth. T--3:35. Att--36,986. Weather: 54 degrees, cloudy. Wind: 21 mph, out to center.</div>
Beckett, Ramirez lead Red Sox to first-game pounding of Indians <h3>BOSTON 10, CLEVELAND 3</h3>BOSTON (Ticker) -- Josh Beckett held up his end of the bargainin an anticipated Cy Young matchup. Manny Ramirez was a bigreason why C.C. Sabathia could not do the same. Ramirez continued his lifetime assault against Sabathia andBeckett pitched six strong innings as the Boston Red Sox posteda decisive 10-3 victory over the Cleveland Indians in the openerof the American League Championship Series at Fenway Park onFriday. Ramirez and David Ortiz reached base all five times they steppedto the plate for the Red Sox, who host Game Two on Saturdaynight. The duo has reached in 29-of-36 combined plateappearances in the postseason. The Red Sox faithful were expecting to witness a pitchers' duelbetween Beckett - the lone 20-game winner in the major leagues -and 19-game winner Sabathia. But the so-called duel was overby the third inning, in large part because Sabathia could notfind a way to get out former Indian Ramirez. Entering the contest 12-for-21 all-time against the Indians'ace, Ramirez drilled an RBI single in the first inning to tiethe contest at 1-1. During a four-run third, he battled backfrom an 0-2 count to draw a bases-loaded walk that provided a2-1 lead. The superstar also singled and scored in the fifth againstSabathia. Later in the fifth, Bobby Kielty - who was inserted into thestarting lineup over the lefthanded-hitting J.D. Drew because ofhis career success against Sabathia - lined a two-run single toright-center for a 7-1 lead, forcing Cleveland manager EricWedge to make a move to the bullpen. Kielty entered 9-for-29 with two homers against Sabathia (0-1),who was charged with seven runs and eight hits in 4 1/3 innings- the most runs he had allowed since yielding nine in 2 1/3frames on June 21, 2006 against the Chicago White Sox. The hefty lefthander, who walked just 37 batters in 241 inningsthis season, walked five in his second straight sub-parperformance. Against the New York Yankees in Game One of the ALDivision Series, the 27-year-old walked six batters andsurrendered three runs in five innings. Entering with three shutouts in six career postseason starts,including a four-hitter against the Los Angeles Angels ofAnaheim in Game One of their ALDS, Beckett (1-0) was chargedwith two runs and four hits with no walks and seven strikeoutswhile throwing 80 pitches. After giving up a first-inning homer to Travis Hafner, Beckettretired 12 of the next 14 batters before Casey Blake led off thesixth with a double and scored on a one-out single by AsdrubalCabrera. Ramirez and the Red Sox broke open a 1-1 game in the third.Julio Lugo led off with a ground-rule double to right field.After a sacrifice and a four-pitch walk to Kevin Youkilis,Sabathia hit David Ortiz with a pitch to load the bases. Ramirez then fell behind 0-2 before laying off four straightoff-speed pitches to plate Lugo for a 2-1 lead. Mike Lowellfollowed with a ground-rule double that right fielder FranklinGutierrez pulled up on before allowing it to bounce in front ofhim and into the right field seats. After an intentional walk to Kielty, Jason Varitek brought homeBoston's fifth run of the game on a groundout to third base. In the fifth, Ramirez grounded a single up the middle between apair of walks before Kielty ended Sabathia's night with histwo-run base hit. Varitek greeted reliever Jensen Lewis with anRBI double to push the lead to 8-1. Ramirez came back from another 0-2 count in the sixth to draw abases-loaded walk from Aaron Fultz and Lowell followed with asacrifice fly for a 10-2 cushion.
AL: CLEVELAND at BOSTON <div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CLEVELAND (3) AT BOSTON (10) - HOW THEY SCORED ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CLEVELAND 1ST: G Sizemore struck out swinging. A Cabrera struck out swinging. T Hafner homered to right. V Martinez struck out looking. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) CLEVELAND 1, BOSTON 0. BOSTON 1ST: D Pedroia lined out to pitcher. K Youkilis singled to center. D Ortiz singled to center, K Youkilis to second. M Ramirez singled to center, K Youkilis scored, D Ortiz to second. M Lowell grounded into double play, second to shortstop to first, M Ramirez out at second.(1 Run, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) CLEVELAND 1, BOSTON 1. BOSTON 3RD: J Lugo hit a ground rule double to deep right. D Pedroia sacrificed to first, J Lugo to third. K Youkilis walked. D Ortiz hit by pitch, K Youkilis to second. M Ramirez walked, J Lugo scored, K Youkilis to third, D Ortiz to second. M Lowell hit a ground rule double to right, K Youkilis and D Ortiz scored, M Ramirez to third. B Kielty intentionally walked. J Varitek grounded out to third, M Ramirez scored, M Lowell to third, B Kielty to second. C Crisp grounded out to third. (4 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) CLEVELAND 1, BOSTON 5. BOSTON 5TH: D Ortiz walked. M Ramirez singled to center, D Ortiz to second. M Lowell walked, D Ortiz to third, M Ramirez to second. B Kielty singled to right center, D Ortiz and M Ramirez scored, M Lowell to second, B Kielty to second, M Lowell thrown out at third attempting to advance on play. J Lewis relieved C Sabathia. J Varitek doubled to deep center, B Kielty scored. C Crisp flied out to center. J Lugo flied out to right. (3 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) CLEVELAND 1, BOSTON 8. CLEVELAND 6TH: C Blake doubled to left. G Sizemore grounded out to third. A Cabrera singled to center, C Blake scored. T Hafner flied out to left. A Cabrera to second on wild pitch by J Beckett. V Martinez grounded out to third. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) CLEVELAND 2, BOSTON 8. BOSTON 6TH: D Pedroia singled to right. K Youkilis singled to right, D Pedroia to third. A Fultz relieved J Lewis. D Ortiz walked, K Youkilis to second. M Ramirez walked, D Pedroia scored, K Youkilis to third, D Ortiz to second. T Mastny relieved A Fultz. M Lowell hit sacrifice fly to center, K Youkilis scored. J Drew hit for B Kielty. J Drew flied out to center. J Varitek struck out swinging. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) CLEVELAND 2, BOSTON 10. CLEVELAND 8TH: J Lopez relieved M Timlin. C Blake doubled to left. G Sizemore flied out to right, C Blake to third. A Cabrera hit sacrifice fly to left, C Blake scored. T Hafner walked. V Martinez grounded out to second. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) CLEVELAND 3, BOSTON 10.</div>
AL: CLEVELAND at BOSTON <div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CLEVELAND (3) AT BOSTON (10) - EVENT LOG ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Cleveland Starting Lineups -- G Sizemore CF, A Cabrera 2B, T Hafner DH, V Martinez C, R Garko 1B, J Peralta SS, K Lofton LF, F Gutierrez RF, C Blake 3B, C Sabathia LHP. Boston Starting Lineups -- D Pedroia 2B, K Youkilis 1B, D Ortiz DH, M Ramirez LF, M Lowell 3B, B Kielty RF, J Varitek C, C Crisp CF, J Lugo SS, J Beckett RHP. Umpires -- Randy Marsh (HP), Kerwin Danley (1B), Brian Gorman (2B), Paul Emmel (3B), Gary Cederstrom (LF), Dana Demuth (RF). Gametime Weather: 54 degrees, Cloudy, wind out to center at 21 mph. CLEVELAND 1ST: G Sizemore struck out swinging. A Cabrera struck out swinging. T Hafner homered to right. V Martinez struck out looking. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) CLEVELAND 1, BOSTON 0. BOSTON 1ST: D Pedroia lined out to pitcher. K Youkilis singled to center. D Ortiz singled to center, K Youkilis to second. M Ramirez singled to center, K Youkilis scored, D Ortiz to second. M Lowell grounded into double play, second to shortstop to first, M Ramirez out at second.(1 Run, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) CLEVELAND 1, BOSTON 1. CLEVELAND 2ND: R Garko grounded out to third. J Peralta grounded out to third. K Lofton flied out to left. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) CLEVELAND 1, BOSTON 1. BOSTON 2ND: B Kielty struck out swinging. J Varitek struck out looking. C Crisp struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) CLEVELAND 1, BOSTON 1. CLEVELAND 3RD: F Gutierrez struck out swinging. C Blake grounded out to third. G Sizemore struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) CLEVELAND 1, BOSTON 1. BOSTON 3RD: J Lugo hit a ground rule double to deep right. D Pedroia sacrificed to first, J Lugo to third. K Youkilis walked. D Ortiz hit by pitch, K Youkilis to second. M Ramirez walked, J Lugo scored, K Youkilis to third, D Ortiz to second. M Lowell hit a ground rule double to right, K Youkilis and D Ortiz scored, M Ramirez to third. B Kielty intentionally walked. J Varitek grounded out to third, M Ramirez scored, M Lowell to third, B Kielty to second. C Crisp grounded out to third. (4 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) CLEVELAND 1, BOSTON 5. CLEVELAND 4TH: A Cabrera popped out to shortstop. T Hafner struck out swinging. V Martinez grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) CLEVELAND 1, BOSTON 5. BOSTON 4TH: J Lugo flied out to center. D Pedroia grounded out to third. K Youkilis flied out to right. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) CLEVELAND 1, BOSTON 5. CLEVELAND 5TH: R Garko hit by pitch. J Peralta grounded into double play, shortstop to second to first, R Garko out at second. K Lofton doubled to left. F Gutierrez struck out looking. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) CLEVELAND 1, BOSTON 5. BOSTON 5TH: D Ortiz walked. M Ramirez singled to center, D Ortiz to second. M Lowell walked, D Ortiz to third, M Ramirez to second. B Kielty singled to right center, D Ortiz and M Ramirez scored, M Lowell to second, B Kielty to second, M Lowell thrown out at third attempting to advance on play. J Lewis relieved C Sabathia. J Varitek doubled to deep center, B Kielty scored. C Crisp flied out to center. J Lugo flied out to right. (3 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) CLEVELAND 1, BOSTON 8. CLEVELAND 6TH: C Blake doubled to left. G Sizemore grounded out to third. A Cabrera singled to center, C Blake scored. T Hafner flied out to left. A Cabrera to second on wild pitch by J Beckett. V Martinez grounded out to third. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) CLEVELAND 2, BOSTON 8. BOSTON 6TH: D Pedroia singled to right. K Youkilis singled to right, D Pedroia to third. A Fultz relieved J Lewis. D Ortiz walked, K Youkilis to second. M Ramirez walked, D Pedroia scored, K Youkilis to third, D Ortiz to second. T Mastny relieved A Fultz. M Lowell hit sacrifice fly to center, K Youkilis scored. J Drew hit for B Kielty. J Drew flied out to center. J Varitek struck out swinging. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) CLEVELAND 2, BOSTON 10. CLEVELAND 7TH: J Drew in right field. M Timlin relieved J Beckett. R Garko singled to center. J Peralta lined out to left. K Lofton struck out swinging. F Gutierrez grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, R Garko out at second. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) CLEVELAND 2, BOSTON 10. BOSTON 7TH: C Crisp doubled to left. J Lugo popped out to second. D Pedroia struck out swinging. K Youkilis flied out to center. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) CLEVELAND 2, BOSTON 10. CLEVELAND 8TH: J Lopez relieved M Timlin. C Blake doubled to left. G Sizemore flied out to right, C Blake to third. A Cabrera hit sacrifice fly to left, C Blake scored. T Hafner walked. V Martinez grounded out to second. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) CLEVELAND 3, BOSTON 10. BOSTON 8TH: J Borowski relieved T Mastny. D Ortiz doubled to deep center. M Ramirez walked. J Ellsbury ran for M Ramirez. M Lowell lined out to left. J Drew grounded out to first, D Ortiz to third, J Ellsbury to second. J Varitek lined out to right. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) CLEVELAND 3, BOSTON 10. CLEVELAND 9TH: J Ellsbury in left field. E Gagne relieved J Lopez. C Gomez hit for R Garko. C Gomez struck out swinging. J Peralta singled to left. K Lofton doubled to center, J Peralta to third. F Gutierrez struck out swinging. C Blake walked. G Sizemore struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) CLEVELAND 3, BOSTON 10.</div>
Beckett, Ramirez lead Red Sox to first-game pounding of Indians <h3>BOSTON 10, CLEVELAND 3</h3>BOSTON (Ticker) -- Josh Beckett held up his end of the bargainin an anticipated Cy Young matchup. Manny Ramirez was a bigreason why C.C. Sabathia could not do the same. Ramirez continued his lifetime assault against Sabathia andBeckett pitched six strong innings as the Boston Red Sox posteda decisive 10-3 victory over the Cleveland Indians in the openerof the American League Championship Series at Fenway Park onFriday. Ramirez and David Ortiz reached base all five times they steppedto the plate for the Red Sox, who host Game Two on Saturdaynight. The duo has reached in 29-of-36 combined plateappearances in the postseason. The Red Sox faithful were expecting to witness a pitchers' duelbetween Beckett - the lone 20-game winner in the major leagues -and 19-game winner Sabathia. But the so-called duel was overby the third inning, in large part because Sabathia could notfind a way to get out former Indian Ramirez. Entering the contest 12-for-21 all-time against the Indians'ace, Ramirez drilled an RBI single in the first inning to tiethe contest at 1-1. During a four-run third, he battled backfrom an 0-2 count to draw a bases-loaded walk that provided a2-1 lead. The superstar also singled and scored in the fifth againstSabathia. Later in the fifth, Bobby Kielty - who was inserted into thestarting lineup over the lefthanded-hitting J.D. Drew because ofhis career success against Sabathia - lined a two-run single toright-center for a 7-1 lead, forcing Cleveland manager EricWedge to make a move to the bullpen. Kielty entered 9-for-29 with two homers against Sabathia (0-1),who was charged with eight runs and seven hits in 4 1/3 innings- the most runs he had allowed since yielding nine in 2 1/3frames on June 21, 2006 against the Chicago White Sox. The hefty lefthander, who walked just 37 batters in 241 inningsthis season, walked five in his second straight sub-parperformance. Against the New York Yankees in Game One of the ALDivision Series, the 27-year-old walked six batters andsurrendered three runs in five innings. Entering with three shutouts in six career postseason starts,including a four-hitter against the Los Angeles Angels ofAnaheim in Game One of their ALDS, Beckett (1-0) was chargedwith two runs and four hits with no walks and seven strikeoutswhile throwing 80 pitches. After giving up a first-inning homer to Travis Hafner, Beckettretired 12 of the next 14 batters before Casey Blake led off thesixth with a double and scored on a one-out single by AsdrubalCabrera. Ramirez and the Red Sox broke open a 1-1 game in the third.Julio Lugo led off with a ground-rule double to right field.After a sacrifice and a four-pitch walk to Kevin Youkilis,Sabathia hit David Ortiz with a pitch to load the bases. Ramirez then fell behind 0-2 before laying off four straightoff-speed pitches to plate Lugo for a 2-1 lead. Mike Lowellfollowed with a ground-rule double that right fielder FranklinGutierrez pulled up on before allowing it to bounce in front ofhim and into the right field seats. After an intentional walk to Kielty, Jason Varitek brought homeBoston's fifth run of the game on a groundout to third base. In the fifth, Ramirez grounded a single up the middle between apair of walks before Kielty ended Sabathia's night with histwo-run base hit. Varitek greeted reliever Jensen Lewis with anRBI double to push the lead to 8-1. Ramirez came back from another 0-2 count in the sixth to draw abases-loaded walk from Aaron Fultz and Lowell followed with asacrifice fly for a 10-2 cushion.
Beckett, Ramirez lead Red Sox to first-game pounding of Indians <h3>BOSTON 10, CLEVELAND 3</h3>BOSTON (Ticker) -- Josh Beckett held up his end of the bargainin an anticipated Cy Young matchup. Manny Ramirez was a bigreason why C.C. Sabathia could not do the same. Ramirez continued his lifetime assault against Sabathia andBeckett pitched six strong innings as the Boston Red Sox posteda decisive 10-3 victory over the Cleveland Indians in the openerof the American League Championship Series at Fenway Park onFriday. Ramirez and David Ortiz reached base all five times they steppedto the plate for the Red Sox, who host Game Two on Saturdaynight. The duo has reached in 29-of-36 combined plateappearances in the postseason. The Red Sox faithful were expecting to witness a pitchers' duelbetween Beckett - the lone 20-game winner in the major leagues -and 19-game winner Sabathia. But the so-called duel was overby the third inning, in large part because Sabathia could notfind a way to get out former Indian Ramirez. Entering the contest 12-for-21 all-time against the Indians'ace, Ramirez drilled an RBI single in the first inning to tiethe contest at 1-1. During a four-run third, he battled backfrom an 0-2 count to draw a bases-loaded walk that provided a2-1 lead. The superstar also singled and scored in the fifth againstSabathia. Later in the fifth, Bobby Kielty - who was inserted into thestarting lineup over the lefthanded-hitting J.D. Drew because ofhis career success against Sabathia - lined a two-run single toright-center for a 7-1 lead, forcing Cleveland manager EricWedge to make a move to the bullpen. Kielty entered 9-for-29 with two homers against Sabathia (0-1),who was charged with eight runs and seven hits in 4 1/3 innings- the most runs he had allowed since yielding nine in 2 1/3frames on June 21, 2006 against the Chicago White Sox. The hefty lefthander, who walked just 37 batters in 241 inningsthis season, walked five in his second straight sub-parperformance. Against the New York Yankees in Game One of the ALDivision Series, the 27-year-old walked six batters andsurrendered three runs in five innings. Entering with three shutouts in six career postseason starts,including a four-hitter against the Los Angeles Angels ofAnaheim in Game One of their ALDS, Beckett (1-0) was chargedwith two runs and four hits with no walks and seven strikeoutswhile throwing 80 pitches. After giving up a first-inning homer to Travis Hafner, Beckettretired 12 of the next 14 batters before Casey Blake led off thesixth with a double and scored on a one-out single by AsdrubalCabrera. Ramirez and the Red Sox broke open a 1-1 game in the third.Julio Lugo led off with a ground-rule double to right field.After a sacrifice and a four-pitch walk to Kevin Youkilis,Sabathia hit David Ortiz with a pitch to load the bases. Ramirez then fell behind 0-2 before laying off four straightoff-speed pitches to plate Lugo for a 2-1 lead. Mike Lowellfollowed with a ground-rule double that right fielder FranklinGutierrez pulled up on before allowing it to bounce in front ofhim and into the right field seats. After an intentional walk to Kielty, Jason Varitek brought homeBoston's fifth run of the game on a groundout to third base. In the fifth, Ramirez grounded a single up the middle between apair of walks before Kielty ended Sabathia's night with histwo-run base hit. Varitek greeted reliever Jensen Lewis with anRBI double to push the lead to 8-1. Ramirez came back from another 0-2 count in the sixth to draw abases-loaded walk from Aaron Fultz and Lowell followed with asacrifice fly for a 10-2 cushion.
Beckett, Ramirez lead Red Sox to first-game pounding of Indians <h3>BOSTON 10, CLEVELAND 3</h3>BOSTON (Ticker) -- Josh Beckett held up his end of the bargainin an anticipated Cy Young matchup. Manny Ramirez was a bigreason why C.C. Sabathia could not do the same. Ramirez continued his lifetime assault against Sabathia andBeckett pitched six strong innings as the Boston Red Sox posteda decisive 10-3 victory over the Cleveland Indians in the openerof the American League Championship Series at Fenway Park onFriday. Ramirez and David Ortiz reached base all five times they steppedto the plate for the Red Sox, who host Game Two on Saturdaynight. The duo has reached in 29-of-36 combined plateappearances in the postseason. "It's great for me," a smiling Boston third baseman Mike Lowellsaid when asked what it is like batting behind Ortiz andRamirez. "It allows us chances to drive in runs. It putspressure on the defense and pitcher. It puts the rest of us ina great hitters' position." The Red Sox faithful were expecting to witness a pitchers' duelbetween Beckett - the lone 20-game winner in the major leagues -and 19-game winner Sabathia. But the so-called duel was over by the third inning, in largepart because Sabathia could not find a way to get out formerIndian Ramirez. "We were kind of expecting it to be a low-scoring pitchers'duel," Indians designated hitter Travis Hafner said. "They cameback (in the first) and scored one and kind of took off fromthere. We just have to move on from today and get ready fortomorrow." "It was a great win," Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youkilis said."We went out there and swung the bats well, tried to make C.C.work. Going out there and scoring that many runs is always agreat thing." Entering the contest 12-for-21 all-time against the Indians'ace, Ramirez drilled an RBI single in the first inning to tiethe contest at 1-1. During a four-run third, he battled back from an 0-2 count todraw a bases-loaded walk that provided a 2-1 lead. "Those pitches weren't really anywhere near the zone," Sabathiasaid of the first two balls after being ahead 0-2. "I know heis a good hitter and I knew he would be patient and I think Ireally should have challenged him a little bit more. That'ssomething where I have to look at the video and watch and thenext time I get a chance to face him, I'll come after him." "I think it's always important - especially with someone ofC.C.'s caliber - the first few innings become a little bit moreimportant," Beckett said. "Whenever you get a couple runs off aguy as tough as him, I think it becomes a little more importantto get your guys back in the dugout, particularly on a coldnight. The superstar also singled and scored in the fifth againstSabathia. "You know he's locked in when he's sitting on pitches that areso close to the strike zone and, sometimes, (it) just looks likeevery pitch he sees so well and lays off and has good balanceand that's the key right now," Youkilis said. "He's seeing theball so well." Later in the fifth, Bobby Kielty - who was inserted into thestarting lineup over the lefthanded-hitting J.D. Drew because ofhis career success against Sabathia - lined a two-run single toright-center for a 7-1 lead, forcing Cleveland manager EricWedge to make a move to the bullpen. Kielty entered 9-for-29 with two homers against Sabathia (0-1),who was charged with eight runs and seven hits in 4 1/3 innings- the most runs he had allowed since yielding nine in 2 1/3frames on June 21, 2006, against the Chicago White Sox. The hefty lefthander, who walked just 37 batters in 241 inningsthis season, walked five in his second straight subparperformance. Against the New York Yankees in Game One of the ALDivision Series, the 27-year-old walked six batters andsurrendered three runs in five innings. "It was a matter of me not getting the ball where I need to getit and they hurt me, that's a great lineup over there," Sabathiasaid. "If you do those type of things, you're not going to besuccessful." Entering with three shutouts in six career postseason starts,including a four-hitter against the Los Angeles Angels ofAnaheim in Game One of their ALDS, Beckett (1-0) was chargedwith two runs and four hits with no walks and seven strikeoutswhile throwing 80 pitches. "He gave us just what we needed," Red Sox manager Terry Franconasaid. "I thought - not looking at the line score but I thoughtevery inning he went out - I don't think 'struggle' is theright word, but that first hitter of each inning he had to kindof refine himself every inning, and once he did, he got in theflow of every inning and he was very good." After giving up a first-inning homer to Hafner, Beckett retired12 of the next 14 batters before Casey Blake led off the sixthwith a double and scored on a one-out single by AsdrubalCabrera. "I think my control was there," Beckett said. "I think it wasmore me trying to not give in or make the perfect pitch everytime, and this year, I think in certain situations, I justpretty much decided that my stuff is good enough. I'm going totrust it and I'm going to not try to make the perfect pitch, buta good pitch is sometimes what you need." Ramirez and the Red Sox broke open a 1-1 game in the third.Julio Lugo led off with a ground-rule double to right field andafter a sacrifice and a four-pitch walk to Youkilis, Sabathiahit David Ortiz with a pitch to load the bases. Ramirez then fell behind 0-2 before laying off four straightoff-speed pitches to plate Lugo for a 2-1 lead. Mike Lowell followed with a ground-rule double that rightfielder Franklin Gutierrez pulled up on before allowing it tobounce in front of him and into the right field seats. After an intentional walk to Kielty, Jason Varitek brought homeBoston's fifth run of the game on a groundout to third base. In the fifth, Ramirez grounded a single up the middle between apair of walks before Kielty ended Sabathia's night with histwo-run base hit. Varitek greeted reliever Jensen Lewis with anRBI double to push the lead to 8-1. Ramirez came back from another 0-2 count in the sixth to draw abases-loaded walk from Aaron Fultz and Lowell followed with asacrifice fly for a 10-2 cushion.
