Dice-K Sharp in PawSox Win

Daisuke Matsuzaka took a giant step towards rejoining the Red Sox rotation on Monday night. The veteran right hander worked 4 and two thirds innings, allowing 2 hits and no runs in a 4-0 Pawtucket victory. Matsuzaka threw 87 pitches, walking three and striking out 4, as he continues to come back from Tommy John surgery. Alex Wilson earned the win with a solid 2 and a third innings of relief. Wilson (2-0) struck out three. Will Inman and Mark Melancon each tossed a shutout inning for the Sox.

Daniel Nava belted his third homer of the season to give the PawSox a 1-0 lead. An inning later he singled in a run to make it 2-0. Later, Alex Hassan ripped a two run double to cap the scoring. Ryan Lavarnway went 3-3 and Pedro Ciriaco added two hits.

The first place PawSox (20-12) will shoot for their fifth styraight win on Tuesday night at 6:15 p.m. Ross Ohlendorf faces Liam Hendriks.