Make no mistake, these Red Sox are slick, and not just because of an on-and-off drizzle that seemed to dampen the noise from 36,733 fans in Fenway Park. Counting their comeback from a 3-1 deficit against Cleveland in the AL championship series, the Red Sox have outscored opponents 43-6 in their last four games. In the first five innings against Colorado, the Red Sox were 11-for-15 (.733) when batting with two outs.
''We definitely had a lot of momentum going,'' said Boston's Kevin Youkilis, who doubled twice. ''Our motto is always early and often.''
Just four batters in and trailing by only a run, the Rockies moved their infield in. Manny Ramirez singled over Troy Tulowitzki — who might have caught the ball had he been playing back at the normal shortstop position — and J.D. Drew's double made it 3-0.
''That's not the way we drew it up,'' Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said.
Boston showed the veteran attitude and stretched a Red Sox Series winning streak to five for the first time since 1915-16. While the Rockies lined up for the introductions on the foul side of the third-base line, looking every bit the World Series rookies they are, the Red Sox stood shoulder-to-shoulder on the infield side, knowing they belonged.
With stubble on his upper lip and a hint of a soul patch on his chin, the 27-year-old Beckett pitched in the manner of a young Roger Clemens. Coming off his ALCS MVP, the 2003 World Series MVP blew away the Rockies with 95-97 mph fastballs the first time through the order, then started mixing in a 77 mph curve.
Beckett allowed six hits in seven innings, struck out nine and walked one, improving to 4-0 with a 1.20 ERA in the postseason this year.
''We're not done and he's not done,'' Red Sox manager Terry Francona said.
Pitching on 12 days' rest, Francis was finished after four innings, giving up six runs and 10 hits. Colorado, which had matched the 1976 Cincinnati Big Red Machine by sweeping its first seven postseason games, lost for just the second time since Sept. 15.
''We're not worried about a layoff,'' Francis said. ''We didn't execute.''
Boston tries to make it 2-0 Thursday night when Curt Schilling, 10-2 in postseason play, pitches against rookie Ubaldo Jimenez. The winner of the opener has gone on to win nine of the last 10 World Series. While the 1959 Chicago White Sox and 1996 Atlanta Braves both won their openers by 11 runs, they went on to lose the Series.
''This is a tough series and a tough team,'' Youkilis said. ''There's a reason why they're here.''
Beckett began by fanning Willy Taveras, Kaz Matsui, Matt Holliday and Helton, becoming the first pitcher to strike out the first four batters in a Series game since Koufax got five Yankees to start the 1963 Series, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. And what a quintet those were: Tony Kubek, Bobby Richardson, Tom Tresh, Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris..
''It's a big loss, Game 1 of the World Series,'' Helton said. ''But knowing the heart of this team, we'll come back tomorrow.''