Rookie Gets First Win - Jenn

Justin Masterson got his second major league start last night. But unlike his first start back in April, this time the rookie got the win.

Through 6 1/3 innings the 23 year-old struck out five, gave up 3 hits and 3 walks. One of those walks unfortunately turned into a run, but it was the only run the Royals could muster. The young rookie threw 95 pitches over his 6 1/3 innings, 55 of which were strikes. His performance not only got him his first win, it also qualified him to go to Pawtucket instead of being sent back to Portland like last time.

While Masterson was great on his own, he owes his win to one person, and one person only - Jonathan Papelbon. Pap came in in the 8th inning after Okajima loaded the bases with a ground rule double and two walks. I'm sure Masterson was sitting in the dugout wondering why this kept happening to him.

See, the last time the rookie was on the mound he also had the lead when he left the game after pitching 6 phenomenal innings. Unfortunately the bullpen couldn't get through the 7th inning without giving up 4 runs and the lead. And in case you forgot, the Sox lost that game and the series to the Angels.

But last night was different because the bullpen was different. The main reason, they weren't suffering from the flu like they were a month ago. Delcarmen may have given up the hit that got Teahen to score the first Royals run of the night, but luckily Callaspo's K would end the 7th without any further damage. The lead may have been cut in half but it still belonged to the Sox. And that's when things got interesting.

With two outs and the bases loaded in the 8th (thanks to Okajima) Francona thought it was time to bring in his closer. Papelbon may have had a couple of shaky outings, but he's the best the Sox have, so it's him or it's a loss. And Pap did what he does best. He struck out Butler. A huge sigh of relief escaped the lips of every member of Red Sox Nation. But they weren't the only ones breathing a little easier. I'm sure Masterson was as well. The 9th proceeded as it should when Pap continued the carnage with three quick outs to end the game and secure the win for the young rookie. But the best was yet to come.

Not only did Masterson secure his first win of the big leagues, the man who saved it for him saved something else. As the team walked off the field giving each other high-fives, Masterson got a little something extra from Papelbon - he got the ball. The final ball of the game. The one Pap used to strike out the final batter. The closer gave that ball to the starter as a souvenir of his first major league win. And to quote Masterson that's "pretty cool."