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Byrd, Sox Double-Up On Blue Jays, 8-4
By Administrator | August 23, 2008
Paul Byrd must be getting sick and tired of pitching against the Toronto Blue Jays.
For the third straight start (once with Cleveland, twice with Boston), Byrd toed the rubber against the Blue Jays offense… he has won two of the three outings. Tonight at the Rogers Centre, the veteran right-hander surrendered four runs on six hits and two walks in an efficient outing… he threw only 86 pitches (61 for strikes!). All of the runs against him were scored courtesy of two-run home runs (by Alex Rios and Lyle Overbay). Justin Masterson, Hideki Okajima and Jonathan Papelbon each provided an inning of scoreless relief to close out Byrd’s first win as a member of the Red Sox.
Coco Crisp had three hits, drove in a run, scored a run and stole a base to lead the Red Sox offense. Dustin Pedroia and Jason Varitek each had a pair of hits, including a home run… Pedroia drove in three runs, ‘Tek scored three runs.
Toronto righty Shaun Marcum allowed five runs in 3 2/3 innings and suffered the loss… it was his first loss in five starts.
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Byrd, on Varitek: “I knew he was a good catcher, but he’s a great receiver. He’s really good. He blocks the ball better than I thought he did. What he brings behind the plate, a wealth of knowledge against the hitters, is great. I’ve enjoyed throwing to him. I think we’ve gelled pretty quickly”.
Varitek, on Byrd: “I’m still learning him, to be honest. The first day there was a little bit of uncertainty early because I wasn’t sure how hitters react to him. You use those first three of four innings to get a bit of a read. Today, there was much more rhythm”.
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The Red Sox snapped a club-record six-game losing streak in Toronto, beating the Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre for the first time since May 10, 2007.
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J.D. Drew, who has missed the last four games because of back problems, has been diagnosed with a herniated disk. He was expected to return to the lineup tonight but had to be scratched.
He underwent an MRI on Friday, but the results have not yet been released.
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Jason Bay played in his native Canada for the first time since reaching the majors in 2003.
Topics: Sox Games, Sox Players |
