A look back at sports
Sports pictures of the year
From a nail-biting pass at Superbowl XLIII to a bloody WBO World Welterwight fight, here's a look at the best sports photos of 2009. Slideshow
Cardinals rough up Matsuzaka in Red Sox rout
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Boston pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka was roughed up in his first start since returning from injury as the St. Louis Cardinals crushed the Red Sox 9-3 in interleague play on Saturday.
Matsuzaka, placed on the disabled list on May 30 because of a mild rotator cuff strain, was charged with seven runs in just one inning, the shortest stint of his career.
Aaron Miles hit a two-run homer in the first inning that gave the Cardinals a 2-0 lead at Fenway Park in Boston.
The Cardinals (44-32) added two more runs in the opening inning and St. Louis third baseman Troy Glaus hit a grand-slam in the second which highlighted the explosive start by St. Louis.
Matsuzaka, who came into the contest with an 8-0 record, loaded the bases in the second with two walks and an allowed single before being relieved by right-hander Chris Smith.
"We caught a break," Cardinals manager Tony La Russa told reporters. "(Matsuzaka) was coming off the disabled list and you could tell he was rusty."
St. Louis starter Mitchell Boggs (2-0) did much better than his counterpart, lasting 5 1/3 innings and allowing three runs.
"I was excited about this opportunity," Boggs said. "This is one of the great places in sports. I didn't want to get too hyped up for it, because it's still my job to go out there and get guys out, but it was a special day for me."
Alex Cora had a two-run double in the second inning and J.D. Drew hit his 14th home run of the season in the sixth to account for the Red Sox (46-31) scoring.
Boston reliever Mike Timlin was placed on the 15-day disabled list before the game because of tendonitis in his left knee, making room for Matsuzaka to be activated.
(Writing by Jahmal Corner; Editing by Ed Osmond)











