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Red Sox Get Rings, Then Drop Tigers to 0-7

Matsuzaka shuts down Detroit bats over 6 2/3 innings

By Chip Bayers,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 8, 2008 6:16 PM CDT

(Newser) – There was red-white-and-blue bunting hanging from the stands, a Green Monster-sized American flag on the left-field wall and an Air National Guard flyover punctuating "The Star-Spangled Banner." After opening with a three-country trip of nearly 16,000 miles, the Boston Red Sox returned to Fenway Park, received their World Series rings and beat the winless Detroit Tigers 5-0 Tuesday behind Daisuke Matsuzaka.

Bill Buckner, a goat of the 1986 World Series collapse that helped extend the team's title drought until 2004, threw out the ceremonial first pitch. He hadn't been to Fenway since 1997, when he was a coach with the Chicago White Sox. During an hourlong pregame ceremony, Boston raised the championship banner in center field for the second time in four seasons.

Boston Red Sox starter Daisuke Matsuzaka delivers in the seventh inning against the Detroit Tigers in a baseball game in Boston, Tuesday, April 8, 2008. Matsuzaka gave up four hits and struck out seven in 6 2-3 innings.
Boston Red Sox starter Daisuke Matsuzaka delivers in the seventh inning against the Detroit Tigers in a baseball game in Boston, Tuesday, April 8, 2008. Matsuzaka gave up four hits and struck out seven...   (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
A 2007 World Series banner is unfurled in front of the Green Monster wall during the Boston Red Sox baseball home opening ceremonies at Boston's Fenway Park, Tuesday, April 8, 2008.
A 2007 World Series banner is unfurled in front of the Green Monster wall during the Boston Red Sox baseball home opening ceremonies at Boston's Fenway Park, Tuesday, April 8, 2008.   (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Boston Red Sox's Manny Ramirez, second from right, is present with a world championship ring by, from left, team Chairman and co-owner Tom Werner, team President and CEO Larry Lucchino, and general manager Theo Epstein during ceremonies at the baseball team's homer opener at Boston's Fenway Park, Tuesday, April 8,...
Boston Red Sox's Manny Ramirez, second from right, is present with a world championship ring by, from left, team Chairman and co-owner Tom Werner, team President and CEO Larry Lucchino, and general manager...   (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Boston Red Sox's David Ortiz, front left, walks with Red Sox's Johnny Pesky, front right, to the corner of the baseball playing field to unfurl the World Championship banner during home opener ceremonies at Boston's Fenway Park, Tuesday, April 8, 2008. The Red Sox play the Detroit Tigers in the...
Boston Red Sox's David Ortiz, front left, walks with Red Sox's Johnny Pesky, front right, to the corner of the baseball playing field to unfurl the World Championship banner during home opener ceremonies...   (AP Photo/Steven Senne, Pool)
Boston Red Sox's David Ortiz displays two World Championship rings during the team's home-opening ceremonies at Boston's Fenway Park, Tuesday, April 8, 2008.  The Red Sox play the Detroit Tigers in the baseball game. The Red Sox received their World Championship rings during the ceremonies.
Boston Red Sox's David Ortiz displays two World Championship rings during the team's home-opening ceremonies at Boston's Fenway Park, Tuesday, April 8, 2008. The Red Sox play the Detroit Tigers in the...   (AP Photo/Steven Senne, Pool)
Steven Tyler, lead singer in the rock band Aerosmith, leads the crowd at Fenway Park  in Boston, in singing God Bless America during the seventh inning stretch of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Tuesday, April 8, 2008. The Boston Red Sox shut out the Tigers 5-0.
Steven Tyler, lead singer in the rock band Aerosmith, leads the crowd at Fenway Park in Boston, in singing "God Bless America" during the seventh inning stretch of a baseball game against the Detroit...   (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
A red-tailed hawk soars over Fenway Park with a rodent in it's beak during an Opening Day baseball game between the Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers in Boston, Tuesday April 8, 2008.  Red-tailed hawks, one which attacked a fan last week, have been living at Fenway Park during this...
A red-tailed hawk soars over Fenway Park with a rodent in it's beak during an Opening Day baseball game between the Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers in Boston, Tuesday April 8, 2008. Red-tailed hawks,...   (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Former Boston Red Sox first baseman Bill Buckner throws out the ceremonial first pitch for the home Opening Day baseball game against the Detroit Tigers in Boston, Tuesday April 8, 2008.
Former Boston Red Sox first baseman Bill Buckner throws out the ceremonial first pitch for the home Opening Day baseball game against the Detroit Tigers in Boston, Tuesday April 8, 2008.   (AP Photo/Steven Senne, Pool)
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