Avery Bradley Injury Status: Out for Rest of Postseason

Was the Hate Towards Jonathan Papelbon Really that Necessary?

Connelly’s Top Ten: Red Sox Crowned Championship Contenders

Celtics Loss Lowers Expectations

Philly Phlunks in Boston Yet Again

One night after a 12-2 trouncing of the Philadelphia Phillies at Fenway Park, Boston defeated Philadelphia one more time, by the incredibly close score of 10-2. Big news was made before the game began when Daisuke Matsuzaka, freshly recovered from a food-poisoning-induced vomiting Wednesday, was scratched from his starts just moments before the game began. While warming up, Matsuzaka felt pain in his right forearm. When he notified trainers of it, he was removed from his start and placed on the 15-day DL. Scott Atchison made his first major league start in the emergency situation.

With two runners in scoring position after a sacrifice bunt, the Phillies struck first, in the form of a two-run double from Brain Schneider in the 2nd inning. But don’t worry, Red Sox fans, I’ve already told you the final score, so you can breathe easy. In the bottom of the frame, J.D. Drew brought the Sox closer with a lead-off solo shot to right. Following consecutive singles by Adrian Beltre, Jason Varitek, and Darnell McDonald, a recently called up newb by the name of Daniel Nava came up to the plate. Never heard of him? Neither have I. Too bad for Joe Blanton. Nava swung at the first pitch and belted a grand slam into right-center. Didn’t see that one coming.

But the fun didn’t end there. With the bases loaded in the 3rd, Marco Scutaro singled in two more runs, then Dustin Pedroia singled in another one. Drew doubled in Kevin Youkilis in the 4th to put the Sox up 9-2, and Jason Varitek grounded into a double play in the 6th with the bases loaded. At least a run scored out of the deal. Other than some drama in the 9th, with Jonathan Papelbon throwing to avoid rust, when the Phillies doubled and singled, then took 2nd on defensive indifference, there was no real burst of life for the Phillies offense.

Sox Stud of the Game: Daniel Nava

You know why he’s here.

Sox Dud of the Game: Daisuke Matsuzaka

Way to tax the bullpen with ANOTHER injury, you overpriced pitcher who was never anything great to begin with. Here’s hoping Gojira (Godzilla) menaces Tokyo because of you.

Game Notes:

W: Manny Delcarmen (2-2)
L: Joe Blanton (1-5)

• Daisuke Matsuzaka, in 64 games this season, has been on the DL for 78 of them; Daniel Nava has a variety of bean named after him.
• Every Sox starter had a hit by the 4th inning.
• Youk was hit by a pitch for the 65th time in his career in the 6th; that passes Jim Rice for second most all time with the Red Sox. Mo Vaughn leads with 71.
• Philly now has a six-game losing streak at Fenway.
• Dustin Richardson will replace Matsuzaka; Nava replaces Josh Reddick.

Tags: Adrian Beltre, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Daniel Nava, Darnell McDonald, Dustin Pedroia, Dustin Richardson, Hideki Okajima, J.D. Drew, Jason Varitek, Jim Rice, Jonathan Papelbon, Josh Reddick, Kevin Youkilis, Manny Delcarmen, Marco Scutaro, Mo Vaughn, Philadelphia Phillies, Ramon Ramirez, Red Sox, Scott Atchison