The visitors, who had won 10 straight and 21 of 22, were embarrassed. The Sox pounded 16 hits in the first five innings. Rockies reliever Franklin Morales recorded two outs and gave up seven runs. He was followed by Ryan Speier, who walked three consecutive batters with the bases loaded. Eddie Cicotte of the 1919 White Sox didn't do that badly and he was trying to lose.
The Sox led, 13-1, after five innings, and the only remaining question was whether the hard rain was going to fall. It didn't. The Rockies fell. Hard. It was the most lopsided opener in World Series history.
"That's not the way we drew it up," acknowledged Colorado manager Clint Hurdle. "I feel real confident we'll get back after it and go get 'em [tonight] . . . We're a no-excuse ball club. We got outplayed."
Going back to 2004, the Sox have won five consecutive World Series games. Going back to Game 5 in Cleveland, the locals have won four straight playoff games in seven days by an aggregate score of 43-6. Curt Schilling, a big-game pitcher on a par with Gibson and Beckett, gets the ball tonight under a full moon. A Hunter's Moon.
"We're smart enough to know that [Game 2] is what's ahead of us and that's all that matters," said Red Sox manager Terry Francona.
There was fear the elements might play a role in the opener. Fenway's intrepid grounds crew stood at attention throughout Game 1. No one knew precisely when the skies were going to open (there was light rain early, but it was dry by the ninth), but Boston lawn chief Dave Mellor wanted his men ready.
There was virtually no reaction when any of the Rockies were introduced during pregame festivities. Most ticket-holders didn't know the names of the Rockies players and Sox fans have yet to identify opponents of scorn for this series. It's not like having Alex Rodriguez or Roger Clemens trotting out of the third base dugout. Game 1 did nothing to change Colorado's anonymity.
