Josh Beckett played a great game. Dustin Pedroia hit a home run during the first inning, the first rookie in World Series history to do so, and J.D. Drew added a two-run double to give boston a fast 3-0 lead.

Beckett relied on his fastball for the first four innings, 39 of his first 40 pitches were speeds ranging from 95 to 97. He had superb control.

Nine consecutive Red Sox batters reached base with two outs in the fifth inning, three doubles, two singles and four walks, including three straight bases-loaded walks which moved the lead from 6-1 to 13-1 for the final score.