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Matsuzaka helps Red Sox edge Padres

Jun 23, 2007 - 6:46 AM SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- It was a familiar setting and equally familiar result for Daisuke Matsuzaka in Petco Park.

Matsuzaka pitched six solid innings to earn his second straight victory as the Red Sox took the opener of a three-game series from the San Diego Padres, 2-1, on Friday.

Having led Team Japan to victory in the championship game of the World Baseball Classic in this same ballpark in March 2006, Matsuzaka (9-5) showed similar form against a Padres team that had never faced him.

"When I stepped on the field, it was just as I remembered it, a very beautiful ballpark," Matsuzaka said. "Just like last time, I allowed a run in the first inning, so it felt very similar to last time."

The 26-year-old righthander allowed one run on three hits while throwing 126 pitches, his second-highest total of the season. He issued five walks and struck out nine to lead Boston to its third straight victory.

"(Matsuzaka) actually wanted to stay out there," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. "I think savvy is a real good word (to describe him). He may be new here, but he knows how to pitch. He's a veteran pitcher."

Javier Lopez and Manny Delcarmen worked the seventh, Hideki Okajima pitched a scoreless eighth and closer Jonathan Papelbon worked around a two-out single in the ninth to collect his 17th save in 18 chances.

"It was a well-pitched ballgame all the way around," Francona said. "We scored two and made it hold up."

San Diego jumped out to an early lead after Matsuzaka walked the first three batters of the game and Michael Barrett singled with one out to plate Marcus Giles.

"I tried to get off to a gentle start today but that clearly didn't go so well," Matsuzaka said. "After getting into a jam, I told myself that maybe one run would be permissible here, and that's how I approached that tight spot."

Despite the rough beginning, Matsuzaka escaped the jam without further damage by striking out Khalil Greene before getting Russell Branyan to fly out to right.

"Things happen, but I thought we put together some really good quality (at-bats) in that first inning," Barrett said. "(Matsuzaka) made some good pitches to get out of that jam, and then from there he settled in and threw strikes."

Boston used a two-run fourth against San Diego starter Greg Maddux to regain the lead.

Dustin Pedroia led off the frame with a single, moved to second on a single by Manny Ramirez and scored on Kevin Youkilis' single. Ramirez came home when Jason Varitek hit Boston's third straight single to center.

"Maddux is always tough," Varitek said. "He knows what to do with the baseball situationally, and he had a great pitching performance on that side. We were just able to squeak one past."

Maddux (6-3) lasted six innings, allowing the decisive two runs on seven hits. The 41-year-old righthander recorded two strikeouts while walking two batters.

"It was a well-pitched game on both sides," Padres manager Bud Black said. "Their bullpen did a good job and our bullpen did a good job as well. Two good teams in a pitchers' duel."

The future Hall of Famer lost to Boston for the first time in his career, having bested the Red Sox on five previous occasions.

Barrett had two hits for San Diego, which has lost three straight and six of seven at home.

"Daisuke pitched really well and Greg pitched really well," Barrett said. "It came down to a pitchers' duel, and we just fell a little short."