Huh?

Posted by Mike Giardi October 11, 2008 at 12:00 am

Color me a bit surprised. Sox skipper Terry Francona leaving Daisuke Matsuzaka in to start the 8th inning. The results were predictable (at least as far as I’m concerned). He have up a single to Akinori Iamura on a 3-1 fastball, then an infield hit to B.J. Upton, who was robbed of extra bases by third baseman Kevin Youkilis. That did it for Dice, but the Sox’s 2-0 lead is in jeopardy (Okajima is on in relief).

I can only assume that’s an indictment on Francona’s faith in the Sox setup crew. I can understand it. If you’ve watched the program at all this season, you realize how nervous that part of the pen has made me. But Hideki Okajima did his part, retiring Carlos Pena on a 3-0 pitch ( the second time Rays manager Joe Maddon has green lighted one of his sluggers to swing on 3-0). Then Tito made anything change, going to Justin Masterson to face the Rookie of the Year in my book, Evan Longoria. The Sox’s rook was better than Tampa’s in this spot, battling back from down 2-0 in the count to induced a weak grounder to short. The Sox turned two, ending the frame and keeping their 2-run lead in place. Plus, that no doubt will inspire some confidence in Francona tomorrow night when he has to take the ball from Josh Beckett at some point.