Red Sox-A's season opener in Japan

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Mar 25, 2008

Red Sox-A's season opener in Japan

The Tokyo Dome hosted the first game of the 2008 MLB season, between Boston and Oakland.

Boston reliever Hideki Okajima found himself signing many autographs as fans found a way to reach him during pregame warmups.

A crowd of 44,628 cheered inside the Tokyo Dome, which hosted baseball's opener for the third time in nine years.

Daisuke Matsuzaka got off to a rough start, allowing his only two runs in the first inning. Dice-K went five innings with six strikeouts, walking five but allowing only two hits.

While most Red Sox fans had to wake up early to watch the game (6 a.m. EST), some actually found their way to Japan to cheer for their team.

Joe Blanton, making his first ever Opening Day start, was solid early for the A's but imploded in the sixth, allowing three runs before getting pulled.

Beer vendors, carrying mini kegs of beer on their backs, serve customers in the upper deck of the Tokyo Dome.

Oakland's Kurt Suzuki steals second as shortstop Julio Lugo jumps to catch the throw from the plate.

Red Sox rookie Brandon Moss, playing because J.D. Drew hurt his back in batting practice, hit a solo home run in the top of the ninth off Huston Street to tie the game 4-4.