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 Matsuzaka improved to 3-0 after lasting just long enough to get the win as he issued six walks
-- at least one in each inning. But Yankees starter Phil Hughes (0-2) was even worse, lasting a career-low two innings and allowing a career-high seven runs.
New York did have some high points:
Johnny Damon's steal after leading off the game with a walk was the Yankees' first of the season, ending a 12-game drought. It was their longest at the start of a season since 1948 when a 16-game streak ended with a double steal by Phil Rizzuto and Tommy Henrich.
And Jason Giambi's homer in the eighth was his second of the season and the series, both off Mike Timlin.
But New York never led as Boston scored three runs in the first and four in the third when Hughes left with no outs.
In all, there were 14 walks, two wild pitches and one passed ball. And when the Yankees were forced to put sore-armed Jorge Posada in to catch in the eighth after Jose Molina was lifted for a pinch runner, Coco Crisp and Dustin Pedroia stole without drawing a throw. Crisp then scored on Jacoby Ellsbury's sacrifice fly to make it 8-5.
Javier Lopez, who shut down the Yankees after Timlin struggled, retired the first batter in the ninth before Manny Delcarmen got the final two outs but did not get a save because the potential tying run wasn't on deck while he pitched. David Aardsma had pitched two scoreless innings after Matsuzaka.
Closer Jonathan Papelbon pitched 1 1-3 innings for the save in Saturday's rain-delayed 4-3 win, and the Red Sox had used four relievers Friday and three Saturday.
Boston took a 3-0 lead in the first when Ellsbury led off with a walk, stole second and continued to third when Molina's throw went into center field for an error. J.D. Drew then walked, took third on Manny Ramirez's RBI single and scored on Molina's passed ball. Kevin Youkilis' sacrifice fly made it 3-0.
Matsuzaka walked three in the first two innings before his wildness cost him in the third. Damon walked, stole second and scored on Bobby Abreu's double.
Boston took a 7-1 lead in the third when Drew led off with a walk and Ramirez, Youkilis and Sean Casey singled, driving in two runs and chasing Hughes.
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Ross Ohlendorf retired the next two batters, then threw a wild pitch that brought in Youkilis and allowed an RBI single by Ellsbury.
But Matsuzaka kept struggling in the fourth when he allowed three runs. Hideki Matsui led off with a double and Giambi walked. Molina doubled in a run, Alberto Gonzalez singled in another and Damon made it 7-4 with a sacrifice fly.
Matsuzaka retired the first two batters in the fifth, then walked Matsui and gave up a single to Posada. Finally, with his 116th pitch, he retired Giambi on a deep fly. Instead of his usual fast-paced walk off the mound at the end of an inning. Matsuzaka stood for several seconds after Crisp caught the ball then walked very slowly to the dugout.
Notes: Boston manager Terry Francona gave David Ortiz the day off. He's 3-for-43, the worst start of his career. ... According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the Yankees' streak without a steal at the start of the season was the longest since the 2003 Toronto Blue Jays didn't get any until their 19th game. ... Abreu reached base in his 22nd consecutive game at Fenway Park. ... Ellsbury's stolen base was the 11th of his career without being thrown out. ... The teams meet in New York on Wednesday and Thursday nights, the Yankees' only home games in a 20-game stretch. ... The Boston College hockey team that won the NCAA championship Saturday night was honored on the field before the game. Seniors Mike Brennan and Matt Greene each threw out a ceremonial first pitch.
[Associated Press; By HOWARD ULMAN]
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