THE SLEEPING GIANTS AWAKE

It's safe to say that Dustin Pedroia and David Ortiz were not happy with how their season has started with a bat in their hands. Both players have struggled and at times have looked lost However, the annual early Patriots Day start seemed to wake up both players as they led the charge in a 12-1 victory over Baltimore capping a four-game sweep and sending the Red Sox to their fifth straight victory.

Pedroia went 4 for 6 at the plate with three run scoring singles. The 2008 American league MVP also scored three runs in the victory. Ortiz went 2 for 4 with a double and a triple and drove in a pair of runs. Ortiz came into the game hitting a mere .170, but finally looked comfortable swinging a bat.

All told the Red Sox banged out 15 hits to give spot starting relief pitcher Justim Masterson his first win of the season.

WHAT WE LIKED:

* In addition to Pedroia and Ortiz the Sox got multiple hit games from Jacoby Ellsbury (3 for 6, 3 runs, 1 rbi), Mike Lowell (2 for 5, 2 rbi) and Jason Varitek (2 for 5, 1 HR).

* Masterson went 5.1 innings allowing one run on four hits and struck out three. He threw 84 pitches in his first start of the season in place of Dice-K. Masterson could have a second start later in the week against the Yankees.

* The pen again was impressive. Four pitchers combined for 3.2 innings of no run one-hit baseball to close things out.

WHAT WE DIDN'T LIKE:

* Rocco Baldelli left the game in the fourth with a mild stain of a hamstring. I don't think anyone wants to hear about any injury to this guy. It just makes you cringe. Hopefully it's nothing that will linger.

The Minnesota Twins come to town tomorrow for a quick two-game set before the Yankees arrive on the weekend.