Masterful masterpiece by Jared Carrabis
Justin Masterson stings former club with CG shutout


Having just one win in 2010, and two wins total since being dealt to Cleveland at the trade deadline in July of '09, Justin Masterson saved his best for his former club; figures.

It was a match-up of two former Lowell Spinners, Paw Sox and Red Sox teammates, with the tale of the tape heavily favoring that of Clay Buchholz, who entered the game with the lowest ERA in the American League at 2.39.

Prior to the game, the mightily struggling Dustin Pedroia hollered to Masterson, "Hey Masty, throw me a couple down the middle. Come on!" Masterson did more than just that, retiring Pedroia all four times that he came to the plate, lowering his average to .248.

For Pedroia, it was the first time his average had dipped below .250 since the fourth game of the season, when the second baseman was hitting .235.

Being a notorious sinkerball pitcher, Masterson induced 17 of his 27 outs recorded on the ground, with just three outs being made in the air. Masterson also whiffed six Red Sox batters in his complete game effort, needing just 110 pitches to dispose of his former club.

Of the two hits that he allowed, coincidentally, one of them came off of the bat of the player who he was traded for, Victor Martinez.

Martinez has now reached base safely in his last ten straight games, including a 5-for-5 performance against Oakland on June 1. Over that 10-game span, Martinez is hitting .474 with two homers, 10 RBI and five walks.

Buchholz pitched well, but it would have taken a Roy Halladay-esq performance to keep up with Masterson on Wednesday night. The Boston right-hander hurled seven innings and allowed just three hits, but unfortunately for him, all three runs would score; and unlike the night before, all three runs were earned.

The lanky right-hander tossed 107 pitches, walking four and striking out just one.

The Boston bullpen was a disgrace, and should be atop Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein's list of areas that need to be tended to come July 31. Boof Bonser, making his first big league appearance since September 27 of 2008.

Bonser faced four batters and failed to record an out, allowing two hits and two walks. All four runners would come home, as Joe Nelson followed Bonser by serving up five hits, one of which being a grand slam to Travis Hafner. Nelson walked three himself, and was tagged for four earned in an eight-run inning for the Tribe.

Final score: Red Sox 0, Indians 11
WP: Justin Masterson (2-5)
LP: Clay Buchholz (8-4)

Game notes: After going 0-for-4 on Wednesday, Dustin Pedroia is 16 for his last 90. The complete game shutout for Justin Masterson was the first of his career. Masterson did not allow a runner to get past first base.

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Published on June 10, 2010

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