Boston Ties Series With Los Angeles 4-4

The Dodgers ran into a fifth inning that would never end, and seven runs proved to be their undoing, as the Red Sox won 10-6 in the series opener at Fenway Park.  Felix Doubront became the third starting pitcher to get his first major league win against the Dodgers this season, joining Mike Leake and Luis Atilano.

The bottom of the fifth inning began with the game tied at three, Carlos Monasterios having settled down since allowing three runs in the first inning.  However, the first eight batters reached against Monasterios and Ramon Troncoso, including a mammoth home run over the Green Monster seats, an amazing feat considering Beltre was while falling to one knee during his swing.

Monasterios turned in his second straight poor start, as he continues to walk the tightrope while not missing any bats.  Tonight, he faced 22 batters and induced just one swinging strike.  He gave up home runs to David Ortiz and old friend J.D. Drew in the first inning, and for the night allowed six runs in four innings.  In his last three starts, Monasterios has allowed 13 runs in 12 2/3 innings, walking eight with only four strikeouts.

Troncoso faced five batters and didn't record an out.  The home run by Beltre was the sixth given up by Troncoso this season in 31 innings, more than he had given up in the previous 120 2/3 innings of his career.

The Dodgers rallied in the ninth inning, with a home run by Garret Anderson and two more hits, but they couldn't get the tying run to the plate.  Andre Ethier smashed a ball that may have been a single, which would have brought Manny Ramirez to the plate as the tying run, but Kevin Youkilis made an outstanding stop, and nearly turned it into a game-ending double play.  Ramirez then struck out looking on a beautiful curve by Daniel Bard to end the game.

Notes

• Matt Kemp had two hits, including an RBI triple over the head of center fielder Mike Cameron in the third inning
• Manny had one single in five at-bats in his first game back in Boston
• The home run by Anderson was his first since April 22, and raised his OPS on the season to... .480
• Rafael Furcal, who is on the bereavement list and in the Dominican Republic tending to his ailing father, will not play this weekend in Boston, Joe Torre told reporters before the game.  The earliest he will come back is Tuesday in Anaheim.
• Travis Schlichting pitched in his second straight game, throwing 2 2/3 innings without allowing a run, in what was likely his last game before being sent down tomorrow to make room for the activation of Vicente Padilla from the disabled list.

Vicente Padilla and Tim Wakefield face off tomorrow afternoon on Fox.

WP -Felix Doubront (1-0):  5 IP, 6 hits, 5 runs (3 earned), 2 walks, 2 strikeouts

LP -Carlos Monasterios (3-2):  4+ IP, 8 hits, 6 runs, 2 walks, 2 strikeouts

Sv - Daniel Bard (3):  2/3 IP, 1 strikeout

Box Score