Red Sox-Athletics: Boston Wins in Japan Thanks to Vet and Rookie

The hero in the Boston Red Sox's opening day victory over the Oakland A's at the Tokyo Dome was not starter Daisuke Matsuzaka.

Instead, it was a veteran and a rookie who made the difference in Japan on Tuesday.

And actually, the Red Sox got a couple of breaks as well, in the ninth and tenth innings.

Manny Ramirez, a former World Series MVP in his eighth season with Boston, delivered the go-ahead two-run double in the tenth, made possible thanks to rookie right fielder Brandon Moss' game-tying home run with one out in the ninth inning.

Both blows came off Oakland closer Huston Street, who had also blown three saves in 10 opportunities to end the 2007 season after missing two months. And it didn't look good for Street on Tuesday as he gave up three hits and a walk while facing only nine batters in 1.2 innings pitched.

Not only that, the A's also suffered a base-running blunder in the bottom of the 10th. Emil Brown tried to stretch his RBI-double into a three-bagger, but instead became the second out when he was caught in a rundown between second and third.

Brown's blunder rendered back-to-back singles with two outs by the A's meaningless, as Oakland fell by a single run.

Surely a big victory for the Red Sox, considering they were only two outs away from defeat when Moss delivered.

We all know what Ramirez can do with the stick. But how about this Moss kid?

This was the first home run in Moss' big league career. The 23-year-old rookie, who made his debut last August 6th, hit .280 in only 25 at-bats last season.

Ramirez and Moss had also contributed in the sixth inning, when Boston was trailing 2-0.

Ramirez's two-run double tied the game at 2-2, before Moss' two-out single off A's starter Joe Blanton scored Ramirez with the temporary go-ahead score.

Jack Hannahan's two-run dinger in the bottom of the sixth gave the A's a 4-3 lead, which stayed in tact until the ninth inning.

It must be a heartbreaking loss for Oakland. Many think the team will not contend in the AL West this season following the departures of ace Dan Haren, outfielders Nick Swisher, Shannon Stewart, and Mark Kotsay, and DH Mike Piazza.

To have a shot the A's, seemingly in a rebuilding season, cannot afford to blow games the way they did on Tuesday.

Oakland must eliminate blunders, like Street's meltdown or with Brown's base-running mistake. After all, a win in March is just as important as one in September, as they all count in the standings.

For Oakland, every win is important to keep pace in the AL West.  Most expect that the Los Angeles Angels will win it.

Meanwhile, for Boston, it's another sweet ending, and further proof that the Red Sox can come back even when down and out.

Still, it's one game, and there are 161 more to go for an unbeaten season.

The Red Sox and A's battle again in Japan later today.