World Series GM 3: Boston's 1-2 punch decimates Rockies title hopes

Sox 10, Colorado 5
Boston leads series, 3-0
WP: Matsuzaka (2-1)
LP: Fogg (2-1)
HRs: COL-Holliday (5)

SUMMARY
The revamped Boston lineup produced 15 hits and 10 runs, but it was the top of the order that did the majority of the damage as the Sox took a commanding 3-0 series lead.

Boston's first two hitters, Jacoby Ellsbury (4-5, 2R, 2BI) and Dustin Pedroia (3-5, 1R, 2BI), combined to go 7-10 with four doubles, three runs and four RBIs as the duo became the first pair of rookie teammates to notch at least three hits apiece in a playoff game. Mike Lowell also had a big night with a pair of hits including a huge, 2-RBI single in Boston's six-run third inning, and Daisuke Matsuzaka (5.1IP, 3H, 2ER, 3BB, 5K) threw 5+ quality innings before faltering in the sixth, and then the bullpen nearly blew the game.

Leading 6-0 after that explosive third, Javier Lopez, Hideki Okajima, Mike Timlin and Manny Delcarmen combined to allow seven hits and three earned runs in 2 1/3 innings, lowlighted by a three-run homer by Matt Holiday on Okajima's first pitch of the game that trimmed the Sox lead to 6-5 in the seventh.

But after allowing a single to Todd Helton following the homer, Okajima bounced back to retire the next three batters, two by strikeout, and when Manny D. allowed a pair of baserunners with two outs in the 8th, Papelbon came in and retired Holliday on one pitch to effectively end the game.

Other highlights of this 4 hour, 19 minute affair, which by the way is also aa major league record for a 9-inning playoff game:

- Dice-K's first career hit that drove in a pair of runs in the third

- Julio Lugo made two sensational defensive plays, the second a leaping grab of a liner that would have scored the tying run in the seventh

- Ellsbury was 3-3 after three innings, and the scintillating rookie, who has effectively ended Coco's career with the Sox with his play this past week, became the first rookie to have two two-baggers in an inning in WS history

- when J.D. Drew doubled to lead off the fifth it meant that every member of the lineup had reached base at least one time

- Manny Ramirez was tagged out on a questionable play at home in the third, partially due to his wayward batting helmet/horrible hairdo affecting his baserunning

- Mike Lowell became the first player to steal third base in a playoff game since the immortal Juan Beniquez in the 1975 ALCS.

All that record-breaking offense added up to another sound Red Sox beating of a helpless opponent, and if the last few games are any indication, this series should come to a quck conclusion tomorrow evening in the thin, chilly air of the Rocky Mountains.

Get that bottle of Dom ready and prepare to call in on Monday, RSN, cause it looks like we are about to witness history--again.

Tomorrow night: "Sweep! Sweep! Sweep!"

Right now: sleep sleep, sleep.

Go Sox!