Play Ball! Red Sox take opener in Japan

Starting the season how they ended, the Boston Red Sox pulled out a thrilling win in Japan over the Oakland A’s.  The 10-inning game was won on a Manny Ramirez two-run double that put the Sox ahead 6-5.  The win went to Japanese reliever Hideki Okajima. 

Japanese pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka started the game for the Sox.  He pitched a no-decision after going 5 innings and giving up 2 earned-runs on 2 hits.  He also had 5 walks and 6 strikeouts. 

The A’s  were in control most of the game, going ahead in the first inning on Mark Ellis’ home run.  The Sox scored three in the top of the sixth but the A’s responded with two on Jack Hannahan’s two-run homer in the bottom of that inning.  Boston’s Brandon Moss sent the game into extra frames with a home run in the top of the ninth.  But, Ramirez was the game’s star going 2-4 with 2 doubles, 3 RBIs and a run scored.