Justin Masterson

By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff Every time the Red Sox play the Indians, you hear players talk about what a good guy Justin Masterson is. Here's a a great example of why from David Brown over at Big League Stew. If doesn't make you want to root for Justin, nothing will.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia homered during a six-run seventh inning and drove in five runs and the suddenly successful Boston Red Sox routed the Cleveland Indians 12-1 on Sunday. Rookie Will Middlebrooks hit his fourth homer for the Red Sox, who have rebounded from a 1-8 skid with three straight wins. Daniel Bard (3-4) survived some early control problems and held the Indians to one run despite walking four and allowing six hits over six innings. Justin Masterson (1-3) also had control issues, falling behind 4-0 while facing all nine Boston batters in the first inning.

Justin Masterson was sharp as the Indians beat the Red Sox last night. Michael Vega has the story. The Yankees come to town tied for first but are 1-8 against the Sox this season. Masterson got the better of his old team again. Julian Benbow has the story. The notebook has Erik Bedard making an encouraging debut. The minor league notebook has Brandon Jacobs happy he choose baseball over football.

The Red Sox didn't need a pile of hits to beat the Cleveland Indians on Saturday night or an extraordinary effort from the bullpen. For one of the few times this season, the starting pitcher performed to expectations. Felix Doubront allowed one run over six innings as the Sox beat the Indians, 4-1, before 38,048 at Fenway Park that enjoyed a crisp, drama-free night of baseball. "It's definitely great to see Felix come out and just dominate," said Cody Ross, whose long home run in the sixth inning helped secure the win. "He was pounding the zone in and out with his fastball.

The Red Sox didn’t need a pile of hits to beat the Cleveland Indians on Saturday night or an extraordinary effort from the bullpen. For one of the few times this season, the starting pitcher performed to expectations. Felix Doubront allowed one run over six innings as the Sox beat the Indians, 4-1, before 38,048 at Fenway Park that enjoyed a crisp, drama-free night of baseball. “It’s definitely great to see Felix come out and just dominate,’’ said Cody Ross, whose long home run in the sixth inning helped secure the win. “He was pounding the zone in and out with his...

New Patriots wide receiver Chad Ochocinco stopped by Cafeteria on Newbury Street yesterday and mingled with staff and some lucky customers… . MTV VJ John Norris visited American Seasons restaurant on Nantucket over the weekend. He tried white whiskey from Bully Boy Distillers of Boston… . Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester was spotted yesterday at Legal C Bar at Legacy Place in Dedham… . Former Boston ballplayer Justin Masterson , in town with his Cleveland teammates, was spotted at Strega North End… . Best-selling author Jodi Picoult was honored by Gay & Lesbian Advocates...

Jarrod Saltalamacchia homered during a six-run seventh inning and drove in five runs and the suddenly successful Boston Red Sox routed the Cleveland Indians 12-1 on Sunday. Rookie Will Middlebrooks hit his fourth homer for the Red Sox, who have rebounded from a 1-8 skid with three straight wins. Daniel Bard (3-4) survived some early control problems and held the Indians to one run despite walking four and allowing six hits over six innings. Justin Masterson (1-3) also had control issues, falling behind 4-0 while facing all nine Boston batters...

Seth Smith hit a two-run homer, helping Tyson Ross get his first win in nearly a year as the Oakland Athletics avoided a series sweep with a 5-1 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Sunday. Cliff Pennington had two hits and drove in two runs for the A's, who ended a two-game slide and have won four of six. Ross (1-0) allowed a run and four hits in 6 2-3 innings. He walked five and struck out four while getting his first victory since last May 14 against the Chicago White Sox. Travis Hafner doubled in a run for the Indians, who were trying to start the...

Game over: Red Sox 12, Indians 1: Scott Atchison spotted the Indians a Michael Brantley double, but finished the game for Boston. The Red Sox have won three straight. They pounded Indians pitching for 12 hits. Time of game was 2:37 before 37,611, the 730th consecutive sellout. Daniel Bard was the winning pitcher going six innings and allowing one run. He's now 3-4. Justin Masterson took the loss. Bottom 8th: Red Sox 12, Indians 1: Mauro Gomez made his Red Sox debut, pinch-hitting for David Ortiz.

The Red Sox didn't need a pile of hits to beat the Cleveland Indians on Saturday night or an extraordinary effort from the bullpen. For one of the few times this season, the starting pitcher performed to expectations. Felix Doubront allowed one run over six innings as the Sox beat the Indians, 4-1, before 38,048 at Fenway Park that enjoyed a crisp, drama-free night of baseball. "It's definitely great to see Felix come out and just dominate," said Cody Ross, whose long home run in the sixth inning helped secure the win. "He was pounding the zone in and out with his...

Game over: Red Sox 12, Indians 1: Scott Atchison spotted the Indians a Michael Brantley double, but finished the game for Boston. The Red Sox have won three straight. They pounded Indians pitching for 12 hits. Time of game was 2:37 before 37,611, the 730th consecutive sellout. Daniel Bard was the winning pitcher going six innings and allowing one run. He's now 3-4. Justin Masterson took the loss. Bottom 8th: Red Sox 12, Indians 1: Mauro Gomez made his Red Sox debut, pinch-hitting for David Ortiz.

The Red Sox didn’t need a pile of hits to beat the Cleveland Indians on Saturday night or an extraordinary effort from the bullpen. For one of the few times this season, the starting pitcher performed to expectations. Felix Doubront allowed one run over six innings as the Sox beat the Indians, 4-1, before 38,048 at Fenway Park that enjoyed a crisp, drama-free night of baseball. “It’s definitely great to see Felix come out and just dominate,’’ said Cody Ross, whose long home run in the sixth inning helped secure the win. “He was pounding the...

Justin Masterson was unbeatable last April. This year, the Cleveland right-hander is still winless in the month. Masterson labored his way through a third consecutive start, matching his career-high of six walks while allowing four runs over five innings in the Indians' 5-1 loss to the Oakland Athletics on Sunday. That's 10 walks in the last 8 2-3 innings for Cleveland's opening-day starter, a trend Masterson doesn't seem too concerned with despite the results. "We're not trying to pick the corners but we seem to be just right there, just missing,"...

Seth Smith hit a two-run homer, helping Tyson Ross get his first win in nearly a year as the Oakland Athletics avoided a series sweep with a 5-1 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Sunday. Cliff Pennington had two hits and drove in two runs for the A's, who ended a two-game slide and have won four of six. Ross (1-0) allowed a run and four hits in 6 2-3 innings. He walked five and struck out four while getting his first victory since last May 14 against the Chicago White Sox. Travis Hafner doubled in a run for the Indians, who were trying to start the season 8-1 on the...

Jason Donald's tiebreaking single off Tom Wilhelmsen in the top of the seventh inning completed Cleveland's comeback from seven runs down and lifted the Indians to a 9-8 victory against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night. Carlos Santana hit a three-run homer and Cleveland reliever Rafael Perez (1-0) pitched a scoreless sixth inning to pick up the win. Chris Perez got his third save in four tries, despite loading the bases in the bottom of the ninth. Mariners reliever Charlie Furbush (0-1)

Staked to a seven-run lead, Seattle starter Kevin Millwood couldn't protect it. Cleveland shortstop James Donald singled off Mariners reliever Tom Wilhelmsen in the top of the seventh to break an 8-8 tie and help the Indians rally to beat Seattle 9-8 Tuesday night. A six-run fourth inning pushed the Mariners in front 8-1. After giving up a run and following that with three scoreless innings, Millwood allowed five hits and did not get an out in Cleveland's seven-run fifth.

Justin Masterson dominated as he did last season for the Cleveland Indians. This time, he got plenty of run support. Masterson pitched four hitless innings and the Indians got 17 hits to beat the Chicago White Sox 12-3 Thursday. Jose Lopez hit a three-run homer for Cleveland and Shelley Duncan had a two-run shot, his third home run of the spring. "I knew from Day 1 that he would make things interesting," Indians manager Manny Acta said of Lopez, a non-roster invitee who is hitting .529 (9 of 17)

Justin Masterson used four strikeouts to work his way into the record books last night. But it's a record he'll have to split 24 ways. And that's just in the American League. He fanned four Red Sox in the second inning last night in the Indians' 7-3 win at Fenway Park, falling in line with names ranging from Walter Johnson, who did it a century ago, to A.J. Burnett, who did it two months ago. It was the sixth time in Indians history a pitcher hung an extra K in an inning. Chuck Finley was the last to do it for the Tribe, in 2000, during a 2-1 win over the Rangers.

Justin Masterson dominated as he did last season for the Cleveland Indians. This time, he got plenty of run support. Masterson pitched four hitless innings and the Indians got 17 hits to beat the Chicago White Sox 12-3 Thursday. Jose Lopez hit a three-run homer for Cleveland and Shelley Duncan had a two-run shot, his third home run of the spring. "I knew from Day 1 that he would make things interesting," Indians manager Manny Acta said of Lopez, a non-roster invitee who is hitting .529 (9 of 17)

CHICAGO - Is today the day? If it isn't, then the Cubs and Red Sox will have to wait until after the World Series to publicly announce Theo Epstein's move to Chicago. Major League Baseball prohibits any major announcements during the World Series. As of late yesterday afternoon, talks between the Sox and Cubs were ongoing, but nothing that could be characterized as close to finalizing the deal, according to a source familiar with the negotiations. That could and likely will change, as most deals get done once they reach the imposed deadline.