Oct 3, 2008 - 1:52 AM
0 shoutsBy Chris Bellamy PA SportsTicker Staff Writer
A year ago, the decision was easy for Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona. In fact, there wouldn't have been a decision at all.
When the seventh inning rolled around, like clockwork, lefthander Hideki Okajima would start warming up. An inning later, he would saunter in from the bullpen, take care of the eighth and set things up for closer Jonathan Papelbon.
That was it. No questions asked.
This year, however, the late innings aren't automatic.
Okajima was as automatic as any reliever in the major leagues in 2007. But on Wednesday, with a one-run lead on the road in the team's playoff opener against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Okajima didn't get the call -- rookie righthander Justin Masterson did.
Francona implied after the game that the matchup simply dictated the decision. Angels switch-hitter Mark Teixeira was set to lead off the eighth -- followed by four straight righty bats.
Masterson held righties to a .196 average this season.
"It was nice because it set up ... it really does set up an inning when you have Masterson facing righthanders, except for Mark Teixeira," Francona said after Wednesday's game.
That, or it was a more telling sign? After all, Francona - like all managers - is a creature of routine.
After a sensational rookie campaign, Okajima hasn't been as invincible in his second year - though, to be fair, he settled down over the final month of the season. At the least, his midseason struggles left the door open for Francona to look for another setup option. ... just in case.
Enter Masterson, who was thrown into the starting rotation early this year after injuries to Josh Beckett and Daisuke Matsuzaka and did an impressive job, winning four of his first five decisions. Fast forward a few months and Masterson has morphed into one of the club's most effective options out of the pen.
Since converting into a reliever during a two-week session in the minors in July, Masterson has been bewitching opposing hitters with a hard, biting sinker and a variety of fastballs. Over the final two months of the season, the 23-year-old posted a 1.93 ERA in 23 appearances, striking out 24 over 28 innings.
Less than two weeks ago, he was on the mound in one of the team's biggest moments of the season. With the Red Sox set to clinch a playoff spot September 23 against the Cleveland Indians, Masterson got the call in the eighth inning of a one-run game.
He did not allow a run, eventually giving way to Papelbon as the tandem helped the Red Sox secure a postseason berth for the fifth time in six years with a 5-4 triumph.
A week later, he was once again on the hill with the game on the line - this time on a national stage in the eighth inning of Game One of the American League Division Series.
Though Masterson ran into a bit of trouble, he escaped unscathed. After jamming Torii Hunter on a bloop single to right, Masterson caught a break when a hobbled Vladimir Guerrero tried to advance to third and was easily thrown out by Kevin Youkilis. With danger averted, Masterson got Howie Kendrick to ground into a fielder's choice to end the inning.
It remains to be seen what direction Francona will go the next time the Red Sox find themselves in a late-inning jam. What's clear is that Masterson will receive consideration. Masterson's versatility made veteran righthander Mike Timlin expendable and the 42-year-old was left off the ALDS roster.
"I think we felt like 10 pitchers with the days off in between the games was sufficient," Francona said. "Still, because of who he is and what he's done, it was not a conversation that we really were looking forward to because of our respect for Mike."
Through one game, at least, things are going according to plan. Masterson worked the eighth, Papelbon closed it out in the ninth and the Red Sox took control of the series on the road. As they try to take a two-game lead on Friday, Francona may need to rely even more heavily on his relievers. Game Two starter Daisuke Matsuzaka lasted six innings or less in 17 of his 29 starts this year.
