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Halladay Clamps Down On Boston

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The Associated Press

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 17, 2008

BOSTON - The Red Sox were on a hitting tear until Roy Halladay came to town.

Halladay stopped Boston's potent offense and spoiled Paul Byrd's debut with the Red Sox, pitching his major league-leading eighth complete game in the Toronto Blue Jays' 4-1 victory.

The loss snapped Boston's four-game winning streak and came after the Red Sox scored 37 runs in a three-game sweep of Texas.

"You can't get caught up on how a team's going - good or bad," Halladay said after pitching his 39th career complete game. "Sure they were swinging the bats good against Texas. I look at quality pitches. I try to avoid who's hot and who's not."

Indeed, Halladay seemed unaffected by Boston's big numbers in its previous three games. The Red Sox had a 10-run inning and a nine-run frame against the Rangers.

"I don't think he's too worried about who's at the plate," Blue Jays center fielder Vernon Wells said. "He can pause a game plan and work against hitters. He pumps strikes and makes it easier for guys behind him. It's impressive to watch."
Alex Rios hit a two-run homer and Adam Lind had a solo shot for the Blue Jays.

Halladay improved to 10-4 in his last 16 starts, limiting the Red Sox to six singles before Dustin Pedroia's homer leading off the ninth. He walked one and struck out four in the seven-hitter, holding an opponent to one earned run or less for the 13th time in 32 starts this season.

"He should make a pitching video. He's pretty tough," Pedroia said. "He throws strikes. He's got great stuff and it's tough to get into a rhythm on him because he's creating his own rhythm for himself. We didn't get anything going."

Halladay's outing overshadowed a fairly strong start by Byrd, who was picked up to help the back end of a Boston rotation missing injured knuckleballer Tim Wakefield.

Byrd, acquired Tuesday from Cleveland for cash or a player to be named, gave up hits to his first three batters - including Rios' homer. Then he settled down to pitch 71/3 solid innings, allowing four runs and 10 hits without any walks or strikeouts.

"I thought it was what we expected," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. "He threw a lot of strikes, got deep into the game."

After rolling past the Rangers, with the worst pitching staff in the majors, Boston hardly threatened against Halladay and the Blue Jays, who came in leading the AL with a 3.66 ERA.

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