Sat Jun 21 19:15:48 2008

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Glaus, Cardinals hammer Red Sox in Matsuzaka's return

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Boston, MA (Sports Network) - Daisuke Matsuzaka was shelled for seven runs in the shortest outing of his major league career, as the St. Louis Cardinals pounded the Boston Red Sox, 9-3, in the middle contest of a three-game interleague set.

Matsuzaka (8-1), fresh off the disabled list, was slammed for the seven runs on six hits and three walks. The righthander labored over 48 pitches, recording just three outs in one-plus innings for his first loss this season.

Troy Glaus had a grand slam, while Rick Ankiel and Aaron Miles also homered for St. Louis, which has taken the first two games of the series following a three-game sweep at the hands of the Kansas City Royals.

Mitchell Boggs (2-0) pitched an effective 5 1/3 innings in just his third major league start, limiting the potent Red Sox lineup to three runs on five hits. Kyle McClellan, Russ Springer and Jason Isringhausen combined to toss 3 2/3 innings of scoreless relief.

J.D. Drew hit his 14th home run of the season and 10th this month, while Alex Cora added a two-run double to account for the Red Sox scoring.

The Redbirds jumped on Dice-K early for four runs in the first. Skip Schumaker walked to lead off and Miles hammered a fastball that just cleared the short wall in right. Ryan Ludwick and Glaus singled around a fly out from Ankiel before Jason LaRue lined a two-run single to left for an early 4-0 lead.

Matsuzaka ran into more trouble in the second, loading the bases on two walks and a single to start the inning. Boston skipper Terry Francona had seen enough, lifting his starter after just one recorded inning of work.

Chris Smith entered the contest and retired Ankiel on three straight sliders, but Glaus crushed a 1-0 curve over the Green Monster for a grand slam and an eight-run lead.

Boston got on the board in the home half. Boggs plunked Kevin Youkilis with a pitch and Brandon Moss worked a one-out walk. Cora then sliced a two-out double down the left field line, plating both runners.

Drew made it 8-3, depositing a home run to the seats in right leading off the sixth. Ankiel, though, homered to right off Javier Lopez to lead off the seventh and restore the Cardinals' six run lead.

Game Notes

The Red Sox activated Matsuzaka from the 15-day disabled list before the game, also sending righty Mike Timlin to the 15-day DL with left knee tendinitis...Miles' first inning homer was his first of the year...Schumaker was the only Cardinals starter without a hit, walking and scoring twice...Drew matched his career-best for home runs in a month with 10, having also hit 10 in May 2001.