Red Sox Trample “Miracle Team” in Game 1

The Boston Red Sox stopped the Colorado Rockies in their tracks to take the first game of the 2007 World Series on Thursday.

Once again, Josh Beckett was at the forefront.

The Red Sox destroyed the Rockies, 13–1, thanks to Beckett’s pitching and 17 hits at the Fenway Park in Boston.

Boston entered the game hot, with the inertia of three consecutive wins in the American League Championship Series, and it was more than enough to defeat the National League champions. The Rockies had gone 21–1 in their last 22 games, but they crumbled in front of the Red Sox.

The only 20-win pitcher in the league this year and last, Beckett dominated the Rockies offense, allowing one run and six hits in seven innings. He only allowed one base on balls, while striking out nine batters.

Beckett’s win yesterday was his fourth consecutive postseason victory, with a 1.20 ERA. He also became the winning pitcher in all of the first ALDS, ALCS, and World Series games he has started.

While Beckett was tying down the Rockies offense, Boston bombarded the Rockies.

Dustin Pedroia got things started with a homer in his first at-bat in the bottom first. Kevin Youkilis hit a double, and scored on Manny Ramirez’s single. Jason Varitek and J.D. Drew added one more run with two consecutive hits.

Boston led the game. 6–1 until the fourth by adding one run in the second and two in the fourth. In the bottom of the fifth, the Red Sox exploded again. Youkilis and David Ortiz both doubled, and Ramirez added another hit to score four runs. With the bases loaded, the Red Sox earned three extra runs thanks to three bases on balls in a row, making the score 13-1 and practically ending the game.

The Red Sox hit eight doubles, a postseason record in a single game.

Colorado got six hits the whole game and barely escaped a shutout off Troy Tulowitski’s double in the second inning.

hic@donga.com