Red Sox Top Indians, 6-2

Daisuke Matsuzaka baffled Cleveland bats all night en route to his 4th win of the season. Matsuzaka (4-6) struck out seven Indians in just six innings, helping pace the Red Sox as they move into the postseason.

Jacoby Ellsbury started the scoring off of a Kelly Shoppach throwing error in the first inning. Jeremy Sowers (6-11) ran into big trouble in the 3rd inning, as Boston put three more runs on the scoreboard. Dustin Pedroia’s sacrifice fly to centerfield scored Jason Varitek. Victor Martinez and Jason Bay followed suit with a run-scoring single and double, respectively.

Luis Valbuena opened scoring for the Indians in the 5th inning with a single that scored Travis Hafner. Valbuena later scored off of a Trevor Crowe single to right field. Valbuena finished 3-for-4 with a triple, RBI, and stolen base.

Kevin Youkilis provided the insurance for Boston with a two-run double to the depths of Fenway’s center field.  Despite the two runs, Cleveland’s bullpen combined for six innings of relief without any runs being earned.

However, the story of this game could simply be how foolish Cleveland bats looked against Matsuzaka. Matt LaPorta whiffed as ugly as any Indian has this season, which says something. Clearly, the end of the season can’t arrive soon enough for the Indians.