Pitching takes a holiday in win

Matsuzaka is currently penciled in as Boston's third starter, but whether it's simply the major league season catching up to him, or just poor location of pitches against a very good Toronto lineup, the Sox need to figure out why he is no longer fooling anyone.

Asked about the possibility of fatigue, Matsuzaka said, "I personally don't think it's a problem."

As much as the Sox try to spin it positively on the 26-year-old righthander in whom they invested $103 million, he needs to be better as the postseason approaches. He was hyped as a workhorse and a pitcher who could go deep into games, but the Sox have shortened his pitch counts and curtailed his workout routine. Will they now try to give him more rest between starts?

"There have been a few games in a row where I haven't been happy about my pitching, but even today in that situation it was great that the team won and I was able to pick up the win," said Matsuzaka, whose ERA rose from 3.88 to 4.11. "I hope I'm able to use this win as a turning point and carry it forward for the rest of the season."

Things were fluid and easy until Troy Glaus atoned for a fourth-inning error by connecting with a 3-and-2 fastball up and away that he delivered into the Sox bullpen for a three-run homer that ignited an eight-run sixth inning for the Jays.

Matsuzaka, who left three batters after Glaus's homer, was charged with seven runs and 10 hits in 5 1/3 innings. Lefty specialist Javier Lopez didn't do himself any favors, failing to retire the three batters he faced and allowing an RBI single to Adam Lind and a two-run ground-rule double to Matt Stairs. It took a great diving play by Jacoby Ellsbury in left to end the inning and prevent more damage.

"I thought his pitching was crisp all along," said manager Terry Francona of Matsuzaka. "I agree, sometimes . . . that inning got away from us in a hurry. The good thing is we had a big lead."

It was the second straight start in which Matsuzaka allowed five or more runs, and the second time this season he allowed seven.

"Today I felt my stuff was better compared to my last start," he said. "Today I felt if I could get ahead, then I would certainly go for the strikeout."