Brandon Moss hit a game tying 9th inning home run and Manny Ramirez knocked in two in the 10th with a double as the Red Sox won the opening game in defense of their 2007 World Championship.
Random thoughts:
- At least for one game the 2007 version of Dice-K returned with five walks and one hit batsman. Hurting himself more than the A’s offense, Dice-K could only get through five innings despite giving up only 2 hits. Hopefully this was only a case of opening day jitters in front of his old home crowd. I was a Dice-K apologist last season, but with a season under his belt I expect more from him this year.
- I like Kyle Snyder. His comeback from arm trouble is a great story. That said the less I see of him in the 6th inning of tie games the better. Five runs down, five runs up… that’s where Kyle Snyder should live.
- The A’s certainly helped push the Red Sox to victory. Along with a critical base running error by Emil Brown manager Bob Geren walked Ortiz intentionally in the 10th to put two on for Ramirez. Ortiz coming home on Manny’s double proved to be the eventual difference. If teams insist on putting runners on for Manny because of his subpar 2007 season he’s going to have a huge year.
I’m not a fan of opening the season in Japan. Watching a game at five in the morning isn’t natural, and despite counting the game had an exhibition feel. I’d probably be more bitter if the Red Sox had lost.
Oh yeah, first place yo.