AL: MINNESOTA at BOSTON <div class="pre">AL AT BOSTON - MID INNING UPDATE PLAY: B Kielty in left field. SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS CURRENT SCORE: MINNESOTA 2 BOSTON 4 TOP, 8TH DUE UP FOR MINNESOTA: J Bartlett (.267, 0-FOR-3)</div>
AL: MINNESOTA at BOSTON <div class="pre">AL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E - - - - - - - - - - - - MINNESOTA 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 6 0 BOSTON 2 0 1 0 0 1 0 4 7 0 (BOT 8) CURRENT PITCHERS: MIN - GLEN PERKINS BOS - DAISUKE MATSUZAKA DUE UP FOR BOSTON: B KIELTY (.226, 1 HR, 12 RBI) D ORTIZ (.332, 2-FOR-3) M LOWELL (.325, 2-FOR-3, 2 RBI)</div>
AL: MINNESOTA at BOSTON <div class="pre">MINNESOTA (2) VS BOSTON (4) - MID 8TH - IN PROGRESS MINNESOTA ab r h rbi bb so lob avg J Bartlett ss 4 0 0 0 0 2 0 .267 J Kubel lf 3 0 2 0 1 1 0 .271 T Hunter cf 4 0 0 0 0 2 3 .287 J Morneau dh 3 1 1 1 0 1 1 .275 M Cuddyer rf 3 0 1 0 0 1 1 .278 G Jones 1b 2 1 1 0 1 0 1 .219 M LeCroy c 3 0 1 0 0 0 2 .176 B Buscher 3b 3 0 0 1 0 0 1 .240 N Punto 2b 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 .211 Totals 28 2 6 2 2 8 10 BATTING: 2B - M Cuddyer (28, D Matsuzaka); M LeCroy (1, D Matsuzaka). HR - J Morneau (31, 7th inning off D Matsuzaka 0 on, 0 Out). RBI - J Morneau (111), B Buscher (9). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - N Punto 1, M LeCroy 1. GIDP - B Buscher, T Hunter. Team LOB - 4. BOSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg D Pedroia 2b 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 .317 M Ramirez lf 3 1 0 0 0 1 1 .296 B Kielty lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .226 D Ortiz dh 3 1 2 0 0 0 0 .332 M Lowell 3b 3 2 2 2 0 0 0 .325 J Drew rf 3 0 1 1 0 0 1 .267 K Youkilis 1b 3 0 1 1 0 1 1 .287 J Varitek c 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 .254 J Ellsbury cf 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 .343 J Lugo ss 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 .236 Totals 28 4 7 4 0 3 4 BATTING: 2B - D Ortiz (52, K Slowey); J Drew (30, K Slowey); M Lowell (37, K Slowey). RBI - M Lowell 2 (118), J Drew (61), K Youkilis (82). 2-out RBI - M Lowell, J Drew, K Youkilis. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - J Drew 1, K Youkilis 1. Team LOB - 3. FIELDING: DP: 2 (M Lowell-D Pedroia-K Youkilis 2). ---------------------------------------------------- MINNESOTA - 000 000 20 -- 2 BOSTON - 201 001 0 -- 4 ---------------------------------------------------- MINNESOTA ip h r er bb so hr era K Slowey 5 2/3 7 4 4 0 3 0 4.72 G Perkins 1 1/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 3.14 BOSTON ip h r er bb so hr era D Matsuzaka 8 6 2 2 2 8 1 4.40 WP - K Slowey. Pitches-strikes: K Slowey 104-67; G Perkins 12-11; D Matsuzaka 119-77. Ground balls-fly balls: K Slowey 7-7; G Perkins 1-3; D Matsuzaka 12-4. Batters faced: K Slowey 24; G Perkins 4; D Matsuzaka 30. UMPIRES: HP--Randy Marsh. 1B--Bob Davidson. 2B--Hunter Wendelstedt. 3B--Sam Holbrook. Weather: 72 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 14 mph, left to right.</div>
AL: MINNESOTA at BOSTON <div class="pre">AL AT BOSTON - PITCHING CHANGE MIN: MATT GUERRIER (2-4, 2.28) STARTING THE 8TH CURRENT SCORE: MINNESOTA 2, BOSTON 4 DUE UP FOR BOSTON: B KIELTY (.226, 1 HR, 12 RBI)</div>
AL: MINNESOTA at BOSTON <div class="pre">AL AT BOSTON - MID INNING UPDATE PLAY: M Guerrier relieved G Perkins. SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS CURRENT SCORE: MINNESOTA 2 BOSTON 4 BOTTOM, 8TH DUE UP FOR BOSTON: B Kielty (.226, 1 HR, 12 RBI)</div>
AL: MINNESOTA at BOSTON <div class="pre">AL AT BOSTON - SCORING UPDATE SOLO HOME RUN BY DAVID ORTIZ (35) TO LEFT WITH 1 OUT IN THE 8TH OFF MATT GUERRIER. CURRENT SCORE: MINNESOTA 2, BOSTON 5 DUE UP FOR BOSTON: M LOWELL (.325, 2-FOR-3, 2 RBI)</div>
AL: MINNESOTA at BOSTON <div class="pre">AL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E - - - - - - - - - - - - MINNESOTA 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 6 1 BOSTON 2 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 5 8 0 (TOP 9) CURRENT PITCHERS: MIN - MATT GUERRIER BOS - DAISUKE MATSUZAKA DUE UP FOR MINNESOTA: J MORNEAU (.275, 1-FOR-3, HR, RBI) M CUDDYER (.278, 1-FOR-3) G JONES (.219, 1-FOR-2, BB)</div>
AL: MINNESOTA at BOSTON <div class="pre">MINNESOTA (2) VS BOSTON (5) - END 8TH - IN PROGRESS MINNESOTA ab r h rbi bb so lob avg J Bartlett ss 4 0 0 0 0 2 0 .267 J Kubel lf 3 0 2 0 1 1 0 .271 T Hunter cf 4 0 0 0 0 2 3 .287 J Morneau dh 3 1 1 1 0 1 1 .275 M Cuddyer rf 3 0 1 0 0 1 1 .278 G Jones 1b 2 1 1 0 1 0 1 .219 M LeCroy c 3 0 1 0 0 0 2 .176 B Buscher 3b 3 0 0 1 0 0 1 .240 N Punto 2b 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 .211 Totals 28 2 6 2 2 8 10 BATTING: 2B - M Cuddyer (28, D Matsuzaka); M LeCroy (1, D Matsuzaka). HR - J Morneau (31, 7th inning off D Matsuzaka 0 on, 0 Out). RBI - J Morneau (111), B Buscher (9). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - N Punto 1, M LeCroy 1. GIDP - B Buscher, T Hunter. Team LOB - 4. FIELDING: E - N Punto (13, ground ball). BOSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg D Pedroia 2b 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 .317 M Ramirez lf 3 1 0 0 0 1 1 .296 B Kielty lf 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .224 D Ortiz dh 4 2 3 1 0 0 0 .333 M Lowell 3b 4 2 2 2 0 1 0 .325 J Drew rf 4 0 1 1 0 0 1 .266 K Youkilis 1b 4 0 1 1 0 1 2 .286 J Varitek c 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 .254 J Ellsbury cf 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 .343 J Lugo ss 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 .236 Totals 33 5 8 5 0 5 5 BATTING: 2B - D Ortiz (52, K Slowey); J Drew (30, K Slowey); M Lowell (37, K Slowey). HR - D Ortiz (35, 8th inning off M Guerrier 0 on, 1 Out). RBI - M Lowell 2 (118), J Drew (61), K Youkilis (82), D Ortiz (117). 2-out RBI - M Lowell, J Drew, K Youkilis. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - J Drew 1, K Youkilis 1. Team LOB - 4. FIELDING: DP: 2 (M Lowell-D Pedroia-K Youkilis 2). ---------------------------------------------------- MINNESOTA - 000 000 20 -- 2 BOSTON - 201 001 01 -- 5 ---------------------------------------------------- MINNESOTA ip h r er bb so hr era K Slowey 5 2/3 7 4 4 0 3 0 4.72 G Perkins 1 1/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 3.14 M Guerrier 1 1 1 1 0 2 1 2.35 BOSTON ip h r er bb so hr era D Matsuzaka 8 6 2 2 2 8 1 4.40 WP - K Slowey. Pitches-strikes: K Slowey 104-67; G Perkins 12-11; M Guerrier 17-12; D Matsuzaka 119-77. Ground balls-fly balls: K Slowey 7-7; G Perkins 1-3; M Guerrier 0-1; D Matsuzaka 12-4. Batters faced: K Slowey 24; G Perkins 4; M Guerrier 5; D Matsuzaka 30. UMPIRES: HP--Randy Marsh. 1B--Bob Davidson. 2B--Hunter Wendelstedt. 3B--Sam Holbrook. Weather: 72 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 14 mph, left to right.</div>
AL: MINNESOTA at BOSTON <div class="pre">AL AT BOSTON - PITCHING CHANGE BOS: JONATHAN PAPELBON (1-3, 1.92) STARTING THE 9TH CURRENT SCORE: MINNESOTA 2, BOSTON 5 DUE UP FOR MINNESOTA: J MORNEAU (.275, 1-FOR-3, HR, RBI)</div>
AL: MINNESOTA at BOSTON <div class="pre">AL AT BOSTON - MID INNING UPDATE PLAY: J Papelbon relieved D Matsuzaka. SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS CURRENT SCORE: MINNESOTA 2 BOSTON 5 TOP, 9TH DUE UP FOR MINNESOTA: J Morneau (.275, 1-FOR-3, HR, RBI)</div>
AL: MINNESOTA at BOSTON <div class="pre">AL FINAL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E - - - - - - - - - - - - MINNESOTA 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 6 1 BOSTON 2 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 x 5 8 0 (FINAL) BATTERIES: MIN - KEVIN SLOWEY, GLEN PERKINS (6TH), MATT GUERRIER (8TH) AND MATT LECROY BOS - DAISUKE MATSUZAKA, JONATHAN PAPELBON (9TH) AND JASON VARITEK HOME RUNS: MIN - JUSTIN MORNEAU (31) OFF DAISUKE MATSUZAKA IN THE 7TH, 0 ON BOS - DAVID ORTIZ (35) OFF MATT GUERRIER IN THE 8TH, 0 ON</div>
AL: MINNESOTA at BOSTON <div class="pre">AL FINAL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E - - - - - - - - - - - - MINNESOTA 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 6 1 BOSTON 2 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 x 5 8 0 (FINAL) BATTERIES: MIN - KEVIN SLOWEY, GLEN PERKINS (6TH), MATT GUERRIER (8TH) AND MATT LECROY BOS - DAISUKE MATSUZAKA, JONATHAN PAPELBON (9TH) AND JASON VARITEK WP - DAISUKE MATSUZAKA (15-12) LP - KEVIN SLOWEY (4-1) SAVE - JONATHAN PAPELBON (37) HOME RUNS: MIN - JUSTIN MORNEAU (31) OFF DAISUKE MATSUZAKA IN THE 7TH, 0 ON BOS - DAVID ORTIZ (35) OFF MATT GUERRIER IN THE 8TH, 0 ON TIME: 2:33 ATT: 36,843 PROBABLES: MIN - CARLOS SILVA (13-14, 4.22) BOS - TIM WAKEFIELD (16-12, 4.80)</div>
AL: MINNESOTA at BOSTON <div class="pre">MINNESOTA (2) VS BOSTON (5) - FINAL MINNESOTA ab r h rbi bb so lob avg J Bartlett ss 4 0 0 0 0 2 0 .267 J Kubel lf 3 0 2 0 1 1 0 .271 T Hunter cf 4 0 0 0 0 2 3 .287 J Morneau dh 4 1 1 1 0 1 1 .274 M Cuddyer rf 4 0 1 0 0 1 1 .278 G Jones 1b 3 1 1 0 1 0 1 .216 M LeCroy c 3 0 1 0 0 0 2 .176 B Buscher 3b 3 0 0 1 0 0 1 .240 N Punto 2b 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 .211 Totals 31 2 6 2 2 8 10 BATTING: 2B - M Cuddyer (28, D Matsuzaka); M LeCroy (1, D Matsuzaka). HR - J Morneau (31, 7th inning off D Matsuzaka 0 on, 0 Out). RBI - J Morneau (111), B Buscher (9). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - N Punto 1, M LeCroy 1. GIDP - B Buscher, T Hunter. Team LOB - 4. FIELDING: E - N Punto (13, ground ball). BOSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg D Pedroia 2b 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 .317 M Ramirez lf 3 1 0 0 0 1 1 .296 B Kielty lf 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .224 D Ortiz dh 4 2 3 1 0 0 0 .333 M Lowell 3b 4 2 2 2 0 1 0 .325 J Drew rf 4 0 1 1 0 0 1 .266 K Youkilis 1b 4 0 1 1 0 1 2 .286 J Varitek c 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 .254 J Ellsbury cf 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 .343 J Lugo ss 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 .236 Totals 33 5 8 5 0 5 5 BATTING: 2B - D Ortiz (52, K Slowey); J Drew (30, K Slowey); M Lowell (37, K Slowey). HR - D Ortiz (35, 8th inning off M Guerrier 0 on, 1 Out). RBI - M Lowell 2 (118), J Drew (61), K Youkilis (82), D Ortiz (117). 2-out RBI - M Lowell, J Drew, K Youkilis. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - J Drew 1, K Youkilis 1. Team LOB - 4. FIELDING: DP: 2 (M Lowell-D Pedroia-K Youkilis 2). ---------------------------------------------------- MINNESOTA - 000 000 200 -- 2 BOSTON - 201 001 01x -- 5 ---------------------------------------------------- MINNESOTA ip h r er bb so hr era K Slowey (L, 4-1) 5 2/3 7 4 4 0 3 0 4.72 G Perkins 1 1/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 3.14 M Guerrier 1 1 1 1 0 2 1 2.35 BOSTON ip h r er bb so hr era D Matsuzaka (W, 15-12) 8 6 2 2 2 8 1 4.40 J Papelbon (S, 37) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.88 WP - K Slowey. Pitches-strikes: K Slowey 104-67; G Perkins 12-11; M Guerrier 17-12; D Matsuzaka 119-77; J Papelbon 6-4. Ground balls-fly balls: K Slowey 7-7; G Perkins 1-3; M Guerrier 0-1; D Matsuzaka 12-4; J Papelbon 1-2. Batters faced: K Slowey 24; G Perkins 4; M Guerrier 5; D Matsuzaka 30; J Papelbon 3. UMPIRES: HP--Randy Marsh. 1B--Bob Davidson. 2B--Hunter Wendelstedt. 3B--Sam Holbrook. T--2:33. Att--36,843. Weather: 72 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 14 mph, left to right.</div>
AL: MINNESOTA at BOSTON <div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ MINNESOTA (2) AT BOSTON (5) - HOW THEY SCORED ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BOSTON 1ST: D Pedroia popped out to second. M Ramirez struck out looking. D Ortiz doubled to left. M Lowell singled to right center, D Ortiz scored. J Drew doubled to left, M Lowell scored. K Youkilis struck out looking. (2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0, BOSTON 2. BOSTON 3RD: D Pedroia reached on infield single to second. M Ramirez grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, D Pedroia out at second. M Ramirez to second on wild pitch by K Slowey. D Ortiz singled to right, M Ramirez to third. M Lowell grounded out to third, M Ramirez scored, D Ortiz to second. J Drew flied out to left. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0, BOSTON 3. BOSTON 6TH: D Ortiz grounded out to second. M Lowell doubled to deep center. J Drew grounded out to second, M Lowell to third. K Youkilis singled to right, M Lowell scored. G Perkins relieved K Slowey. J Varitek popped out to second. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0, BOSTON 4. MINNESOTA 7TH: J Morneau homered to center. M Cuddyer struck out looking. G Jones walked. M LeCroy hit a ground rule double to deep right, G Jones to third. B Buscher grounded out to second, G Jones scored, M LeCroy to third. N Punto lined out to center. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 2, BOSTON 4. BOSTON 8TH: M Guerrier relieved G Perkins. B Kielty struck out looking. D Ortiz homered to left. M Lowell struck out looking. J Drew safe at first on error by second baseman N Punto. K Youkilis popped out to second. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 1 Error) MINNESOTA 2, BOSTON 5.</div>
AL: MINNESOTA at BOSTON <div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ MINNESOTA (2) AT BOSTON (5) - EVENT LOG ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Minnesota Starting Lineups -- J Bartlett SS, J Kubel LF, T Hunter CF, J Morneau DH, M Cuddyer RF, G Jones 1B, M LeCroy C, B Buscher 3B, N Punto 2B, K Slowey RHP. Boston Starting Lineups -- D Pedroia 2B, M Ramirez LF, D Ortiz DH, M Lowell 3B, J Drew RF, K Youkilis 1B, J Varitek C, J Ellsbury CF, J Lugo SS, D Matsuzaka RHP. Umpires -- Randy Marsh (HP), Bob Davidson (1B), Hunter Wendelstedt (2B), Sam Holbrook (3B). Gametime Weather: 72 degrees, Partly Cloudy, wind left to right at 14 mph. MINNESOTA 1ST: J Bartlett struck out swinging. J Kubel struck out swinging. T Hunter grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0, BOSTON 0. BOSTON 1ST: D Pedroia popped out to second. M Ramirez struck out looking. D Ortiz doubled to left. M Lowell singled to right center, D Ortiz scored. J Drew doubled to left, M Lowell scored. K Youkilis struck out looking. (2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0, BOSTON 2. MINNESOTA 2ND: J Morneau grounded out to pitcher. M Cuddyer doubled to deep center. G Jones lined out to center. M LeCroy grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0, BOSTON 2. BOSTON 2ND: J Varitek grounded out to second. J Ellsbury flied out to right. J Lugo grounded out to third. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0, BOSTON 2. MINNESOTA 3RD: B Buscher flied out to left. N Punto grounded out to second. J Bartlett grounded out to pitcher. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0, BOSTON 2. BOSTON 3RD: D Pedroia reached on infield single to second. M Ramirez grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, D Pedroia out at second. M Ramirez to second on wild pitch by K Slowey. D Ortiz singled to right, M Ramirez to third. M Lowell grounded out to third, M Ramirez scored, D Ortiz to second. J Drew flied out to left. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0, BOSTON 3. MINNESOTA 4TH: J Kubel singled to center. T Hunter struck out swinging. J Morneau struck out swinging. M Cuddyer grounded into fielder's choice to third, J Kubel out at second. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0, BOSTON 3. BOSTON 4TH: K Youkilis grounded out to shortstop. J Varitek fouled out to third. J Ellsbury struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0, BOSTON 3. MINNESOTA 5TH: G Jones singled to center. M LeCroy flied out to right. B Buscher grounded into double play, third to second to first, G Jones out at second.(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0, BOSTON 3. BOSTON 5TH: J Lugo lined out to left. D Pedroia flied out to right. M Ramirez flied out to center. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0, BOSTON 3. MINNESOTA 6TH: N Punto struck out swinging. J Bartlett grounded out to third. J Kubel singled to right. T Hunter struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0, BOSTON 3. BOSTON 6TH: D Ortiz grounded out to second. M Lowell doubled to deep center. J Drew grounded out to second, M Lowell to third. K Youkilis singled to right, M Lowell scored. G Perkins relieved K Slowey. J Varitek popped out to second. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0, BOSTON 4. MINNESOTA 7TH: J Morneau homered to center. M Cuddyer struck out looking. G Jones walked. M LeCroy hit a ground rule double to deep right, G Jones to third. B Buscher grounded out to second, G Jones scored, M LeCroy to third. N Punto lined out to center. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 2, BOSTON 4. BOSTON 7TH: J Ellsbury grounded out to shortstop. J Lugo flied out to right. D Pedroia flied out to left. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 2, BOSTON 4. MINNESOTA 8TH: B Kielty in left field. J Bartlett struck out swinging. J Kubel walked. T Hunter grounded into double play, third to second to first, J Kubel out at second.(0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 2, BOSTON 4. BOSTON 8TH: M Guerrier relieved G Perkins. B Kielty struck out looking. D Ortiz homered to left. M Lowell struck out looking. J Drew safe at first on error by second baseman N Punto. K Youkilis popped out to second. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 1 Error) MINNESOTA 2, BOSTON 5. MINNESOTA 9TH: J Papelbon relieved D Matsuzaka. J Morneau grounded out to second. M Cuddyer flied out to left. G Jones flied out to center. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 2, BOSTON 5.</div>
Dice-K sharp as Red Sox cut magic number to one <h3>BOSTON 5, MINNESOTA 2</h3>By Mike Petraglia PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer BOSTON (Ticker) -- Brought to town last winter to bolster thestarting rotation, Daisuke Matsuzaka has brought the BostonRed Sox to the brink of their first American League East titlein 12 years. Matsuzaka pitched eight strong innings and Mike Lowell drove intwo runs as the Red Sox beat the Minnesota Twins, 5-2, onFriday. David Ortiz had his third straight game with at least threehits, going 3-for-4 with a home run and three runs scored forBoston(95-65), which cut its magic number to clinch the AL Eastto one over the New York Yankees (92-67) with two games to play. Matsuzaka (15-12) reached two milestones in his last regularseason start. He struck out Michael Cuddyer in the seventh forhis 200th strikeout of the season and his eight innings gave him204 2/3 for the season, making him the first Red Sox rookiepitcher since Frank Sullivan in 1954 to pass the 200-inningplateau. The Japanese righthander lost his shutout in the seventh whenJustin Morneau drilled a fastball to the bleachers instraightaway center for his 31st blast of the season. Matsuzaka allowed six hits and two runs, throwing 119 pitches inthe process. He walked two while striking out eight. Jonathan Papelbon came on in the ninth to register his 37thsave. The Red Sox got off to a running start early against Minnesotarookie Kevin Slowey (4-1). With two outs and none on in the first, Ortiz jumpstarted theBoston offense with his 52nd double. It was his 51st as adesignated hitter, a new major league record. Lowell followed with an RBI single to right-center field,scoring Ortiz for the game's first run. J.D. Drew made it threestraight hits, doubling home Lowell for a 2-0 Boston advantage. Lowell extended his franchise RBI record for a third baseman to118 in the third when his groundout scored Manny Ramirez withthe Red Sox's third run. Kevin Youkilis singled home Lowell in the sixth to put the RedSox up, 4-0. Ortiz added his 35th homer with one out in the eighth to addinsurance. The blast to the "Green Monster" seats also gave him117 RBI, one behind Lowell for the team lead. Slowey gave up seven hits and four runs, striking out threewhile walking none over 5 2/3 innings. It was the 23-year-oldrighthander's first loss in 11 major league starts.
Dice-K sharp as Red Sox clinch AL East <h3>BOSTON 5, MINNESOTA 2</h3>By Mike Petraglia PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer BOSTON (Ticker) -- Brought to town last winter to bolster thestarting rotation, Daisuke Matsuzaka helped the Boston Red Soxbring home their first American League East title in 12 years. Matsuzaka pitched eight strong innings Friday while David Ortizhomered and collected three hits as the Red Sox beat theMinnesota Twins, 5-2, at Fenway Park. A little over an hour later, with Red Sox players watching onthe big screen TVs in the clubhouse, Melvin Mora squeezed homeTike Redman with the winning run as the Baltimore Orioles camefrom behind to beat the Yankees, 10-9 in 10 innings, givingBoston its first division crown since 1995. "I was standing on the table watching the big screen andwhenever Mora bunted, it was exhilaration," said JonathanPapelbon, who came on in the ninth to register his 37th save. The Red Sox went into first place on April 18 and did notrelinquish the lead thereafter. "We handled frustration because in the course of a long seasonthere is so much frustration, what we went through in Torontoand to bounce back," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. About 3,000 fans stayed in the park and watched the end of theYankees' game on the scoreboard. The team came back out ontothe field and celebrated with the fans, spraying champagne intothe crowd. "It's hard sometimes and we love where we play but it getstough. We are gratified and it's a special feeling." "For us to go wire-to-wire, it's great," Kevin Youkilis said."To be in first place, there's so much stuff that goes on herein Boston, so much talk, so much worrying and it's so funnybecause you look back on it and everyone who was so worried andnegative about the whole season can now rest. It's fun to seethat we won the division, it's great and now we have to lookforward to the postseason." Ortiz had his third straight game with at least three hits,going 3-for-4, while Mike Lowell drove in two more runs. Matsuzaka (15-12) reached two milestones in his last regularseason start. He struck out Michael Cuddyer in the seventh forhis 200th strikeout of the season and his eight innings gave him204 2/3 for the season, making him the first Red Sox rookiepitcher since Frank Sullivan in 1954 to pass the 200-inningplateau. "We're going to sit here and enjoy it and have a good timetonight and then compartmentalize it and move on," said Red Soxgeneral manager Theo Epstein, who signed Matsuzaka to a six-yearcontract. "Getting to the postseason was an accomplishment,this is a real accomplishment, something we haven't done in along time and something we haven't done since we've been here. "You savor the moment, you're proud of the players and happy forthe fans and then you compartmentalize and move on because youdo have bigger goals in mind." The Japanese righthander lost his shutout in the seventh whenJustin Morneau drilled a fastball to the bleachers instraightaway center for his 31st blast of the season. Matsuzaka allowed six hits and two runs, throwing 119 pitches inthe process. He walked two while striking out eight. "I think it was important for us and for him," Lowell said aboutMatsuzaka. "I think he wanted to get a good start under hisbelt and he did a good job. He did and he gave us a lot ofinnings. I think that can only help him going into theplayoffs. That can only help him, going into the playoffs with aquality start wherever he's going to pitch against whoever.It's always better to end on a good not than not." The Red Sox got off to a running start early against Minnesotarookie Kevin Slowey (4-1). With two outs and none on in the first, Ortiz jump-started theBoston offense with his 52nd double. It was his 51st as adesignated hitter, a new major league record. Lowell followed with an RBI single to right-center field,scoring Ortiz for the game's first run. J.D. Drew made it threestraight hits, doubling home Lowell for a 2-0 Boston advantage. Lowell extended his franchise RBI record for a third baseman to118 in the third when his groundout scored Manny Ramirez withthe Red Sox's third run. Youkilis singled home Lowell in the sixth to put the Red Sox up,4-0. Ortiz added his 35th homer with one out in the eighth to addinsurance. The blast to the "Green Monster" seats also gave him117 RBI, one behind Lowell for the team lead. Slowey gave up seven hits and four runs, striking out threewhile walking none over 5 2/3 innings. It was the 23-year-oldrighthander's first loss in 11 major league starts.
