Curt Strong for 3.1, Sox Top Twins

Curt Schilling pitched 3.1 innings Sunday afternoon, allowing one run (a Michael Cuddyer HR) on two hits with a walk and a strikeout. He threw 48 pitches, and worked on his changeup. Francona:

I thought [the changeup] enhanced his other pitches. He threw a couple every once in a while where it looked like he was trying to force the issue.

Jonathan Papelbon:

I just feel I'm better as a starter. The reason why this team drafted me in '04 was to be a starter. I'm going to take this opportunity and run with it.

There were 225 Japanese journalists in attendance when Daisuke Matsuzaka faced Boston College on Friday night. For his next start -- against the Marlins in Jupiter on Tuesday -- 81 Japanese journalists are expected. The US writers for both teams will also have to be accommodated. The Marlins' press box holds 24. Dice's 1:00 PM start will be televised live in Japan at 3:00 AM.

A good quote from Yoshihisa Miura of the Jiji Press, couresty of the Herald's Michael Silverman:

Matsuzaka said that the strike zone in America is wider by about [the width of] two balls, on the outside corner. Up and down, the strike zone is a little higher here, too, but inside, it is tighter than Japan.