Sat May 17 19:34:30 2008

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Ortiz helps BoSox take first game against Brewers

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Boston, MA (Sports Network) - David Ortiz hit a three-run homer and scored twice to lead Boston over Milwaukee, 5-3, in the first installment of a doubleheader from Fenway Park.

Jacoby Ellsbury and J.D. Drew also drove in runs for the Red Sox, who snapped a four-game skid.

Daisuke Matsuzaka (7-0) went 6 2/3 innings for the win, allowing two unearned runs and seven hits, fanning six with a pair of walks.

He became the second Boston starter in as many seasons to win his first seven decisions, lowering his ERA to 2.15 in the process. Jonathan Papelbon recorded the final three outs in the contest for his 12th save.

Mike Cameron smacked a two-run home run and Ryan Braun added a solo homer for the Brewers, who have dropped three straight games.

Starter Jeff Suppan (2-3) took the loss for Milwaukee, charged with nine hits and four runs over six frames.

Game 2 is scheduled to begin at 8:35 p.m. (et), with Dave Bush on the hill for Milwaukee opposing veteran Boston knuckleballer Tim Wakefield.

The Sox put a two-out run on the board in their first at-bat. Ortiz walked, moved to second when Manny Ramirez was plunked, went to third on a Kevin Youkilis single and scored on a bases-loaded walk to Drew.

Ortiz made it 4-0 in the second with a three-run blast over the Green Monster, and Matsuzaka worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the fifth to keep the Brewers off the board.

A Youkilis error on Rickie Weeks' grounder to third put a runner on with two outs in the seventh, and Cameron cleared the Monster in left-center to bring the Brewers within 4-2.

Ellsbury added an RBI double in the eighth for an insurance run, which was key when Papelbon allowed Braun's two-out homer in the ninth. Prince Fielder then popped out to end the game.

Game Notes

Josh Beckett won his first nine decisions and finished 20-7 last season...Sox relievers Javier Lopez and Manny Delcarmen combined to allow one hit over 1 1/3 innings after Matsuzaka's exit...Although he did not play, the game marked the return of Gabe Kapler to Boston, the team with which he originally ended his major-league career (2003-06). After retiring two years ago, he managed the Sox Single-A team in 2007 before the Brewers signed him to a contract in the off-season...Jason Varitek and Sean Casey each recorded two hits for the Red Sox, while Bill Hall had two hits for the Brewers.