Matsuzaka Expected Another CG

Dice-K:

Given my pitch count at the end of the eighth inning (104), I was expecting to go back out there in the ninth. I think, given my pace up to that point, it would have been normal to go back for the ninth inning, but the manager came in and spoke to me and said that, given our big lead, go and get some rest.

If he had finished the game, Matsuzaka would have been the first Red Sox pitcher since Tim Wakefield (2005) to throw back-to-back complete games and the first since Roger Clemens (1996) to win consecutive complete games.

Doris Kahn, 100, threw out the first pitch before the afternoon game. Gordon Edes writes:

She came to Boston on the Lusitania, arriving from Liverpool in 1909, and remembers the Sox winning the 1918 World Series. That's impressive, but no more so than this: She's still working. She's in the accounting department of Riemer and Braunstein, a Boston law firm, where she has worked for 37 years.

Last night's loss was the Red Sox's worst shutout loss since May 25, 1990 (Twins 16-0). Atlanta also set a franchise record with 12 extra-base hits. ... Kevin Youkilis's hitting streak is now a career-best 12 games.

Jon Lester pitched 3.2 innings for Pawtucket last night in Ottawa, allowing one hit, one walk and no runs, while striking out two. He retired the last 10 batters he faced. ... Mike Timlin might throw off a mound on Monday.

The Lancaster Jethawks, Boston's Single-A team in the California League, lost 30-0 to the Lake Elsinore Storm on Friday. (box)