A WILD OPENING WIN!

As opening days go... Well, we can't say it was a classic, but the Red Sox got the 2008 season off to an exciting early start in Japan. Manny Ramirez drove in a pair of runs with a 10th inning double and Boston then held on for a 6-5 victory over the Oakland A's in MLB's earliest Opening Day contest ever.

Ramirez picked up right where he left off in 2007 by driving in runs like the Manny of previous seasons after a subpar performance for the slugger last season. He had a pair of two-run doubles to lead the charge for the Red Sox. He also struck an early season pose to admire his 10th inning blast, but the ball fell short of Manny's projection in centerfield. No matter. It was a classic "Manny Being Manny" moment and it propelled the Sox to victory. Ramirez earleir doubled in a pair of runs in the sixth inning to tie the game at 2-2. He later scored to give the Sox a one-run lead.

Manny is entering the final season of his eight-year contract with Boston. All off-season we were given reports that the future Hall of Fame hitter was getting himself into top physical condidtion. Today showed that he truely is in position to get off to a much better start to the year. A healthy season at the plate could jolt the Red Sox front office into exercising a pair of options they hold on Ramirez for 2009 and 2010.

THE FARM DELIVERS AGAIN

Much has been made of the Red Sox farm system in recent years. With players like Jonathan Papelbon, Dustin Pedroia and Jacoby Ellsbury making huge contributions to the team in recent years there's not much to complain about. But outfielder Brandon Moss has not been a name mentioned often in discussions about what is being grown down on the farm. At least not in the same discussion of other elite prospects. However, Moss turned in an early season moment that will have people talking for a while.

Because MLB has not forced the Red Sox or A's to cut down to the required 25-man roster to start the season in Japan, Moss got an opportunity to stay with the team for a few extra days. And when right fielder J. D. Drew came up with a tight back before the game and could not play, Moss found his name in the starting line-up. And OH MY did he take advantage of the opportunity. Moss gave the Red Sox a 3-2 lead in the sixth with an RBI single and then pulled the Sox out of the fire with a game tying ninth inning homer to right off Oakland closer Huston Street. It was the first MLB career homer for the outfielder. Moss likely will not be part of the 25-man roster next week, but the kid let people know he can step up given the chance.

SAME OLD DICE-K?

You can say he may have been under pressure returning to his homeland where his name is spoken with great respect. You can also say he might be a little distracted by having to leave his wife and new born child back in the states. I want to say it's too early to tell. However, Dice-K Matsuzaka looked every bit the hair raising and frustrating starting pitcher he was in his first season in the Bigs. Getting the Opening Day nod against Oakland, Matsuzaka gave up early runs and walked a tight rope in a 95-pitch five-inning outing. He gave up just two runs on a home run in the first inning and allowed just five hits overall, but walked five. As was the case last season, Matsuzaka settled down, but his early struggles forced him to exit earlier. He'll need to find a more economical approach moving forward.

NOTES: Hideki Okajima picked up the mound win in relief. Papelbon earned the save despite giving up a run in the bottom of the 10th. The Red Sox had 11 hits off five Oakland pitchers. Pedroia and Julio Lugo also had a pair of hits for the Sox. Jon Lester takes the mound for Boston tomorrow going up against Rich Harden.