Bruce, Dunn Lead Reds Past Sox

By KC Downey in Featured, Red Sox ⋅ June 14, 2008 at 12:41pm ⋅ Post a comment

There’s a lot of fanfare around the fact that the Red Sox haven’t visited Cincinnati since 1975 when the upstart Red Sox met up with the Big Red Machine in the World Series. The Red Sox did win a game there, leading to the Game 6 dramatics when Carlton Fisk willed his HR fair. You know the history. Well, recent history suggests that the Red Sox should destroy these Reds, highlighted by two World Series victories and the fact that they swept the Reds in a three-game series at Fenway Park in 2005.

With all that said, Aaron Harang (3-9) silenced the Red Sox bats in a 3-1 victory. Harang lasted seven innings, allowing one run on four hits with seven strikeouts. Jay Bruce led of the game with a HR and Adam Dunn added a solo shot of his own to power the Reds to the win. Justin Masterson (3-1) earned his first career loss, allowing three runs on four hits and three walks, to go along with nine strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings.

Sox Stud of the Game:

Manny Ramirez earns the Stud nod with a 1-3 with an RBI. Not very good stats, but the best as he provided the Red Sox’ only run. Manny left the game with a sore right hamstring and will get the day off for Saturday’s game.

Diamond Dud of the Game:

I know, its hypocritcal to give Manny the Sox Stud of the Game, and to give the entire Red Sox lineup the distinction of Diamond Dud, but look at the numbers. The Sox scored just one run on five hits and zero walks. The team batted 5/32 overall (.156). Obviously, that’ll never get it done.

Game Notes:

Daisuke Matsuzaka is expected to pitch a minor league game as part of his rehab. He could come off the DL by next weekend.
Jason Varitek was out again with a sore throat.
Sean Casey, a former Red, singled to get his 1,500th hit.