Game 20: Sox 5 Halos 0

Another good game for the Sox. Matsuzaka throws 8 innings of 1 hit ball with 9 Ks and 3 BBs, surprising most everyone. He looked good today and showed that if he can locate his pitches, he has the stuff to dominate. The bullpen gets some much needed rest with Bard pitching the last frame.

Youkilis led the offense with a 2-run HR in the 5th. Crawford, Ellsbury, and Lowrie each had two hits as well. Nice to see Crawford hitting the ball hard. Varitek also collected a hit on an RBI double to break a 0-19 slump (according to NESN). He still doesn't look like he's seeing the ball well though.

Scary moment in the 2nd: Matsuzaka was pitching when Alberto Callaspo hit a screaming liner right back at Dice-K. It nearly hit him in the face but he was able to duck out of the way and only take a ricochet off the glove. He came up smiling and did a good job of putting what was surely a scary moment behind him to pitch the rest of the game.

Sox going for the 4-game sweep with Lackey on the mound today. Don't look now but the Sox are only 2 games behind .500!