Pedro Mart?nez surpassed the expectations of Boston Red Sox fans in the Boston Red Sox opening game on Thursday, 3 April that took place in Oakland, California. Mart?nez, the highest paid player in the Major Leagues, winner of the 1997 Cy Young award, threw a no-hitter in his first game with the Red Sox. Mart?nez, who signed a contract for US$75 million earlier this year, set down the first 11 Oakland batters he faced. The game ended Red Sox, 2, A’s O. Mart?nez left after seven innings with 11 strikeouts, a yield of three hits and two walks, and a 2-0 lead. The 11 strikeouts were the most by a Red Sox pitcher on opening day since Roger Clemens fanned 11 Tigers in Fenway Park 10 years ago. Mart?nez, who last season had 18 games in which he struck out 10 or more batters, including 15 10-K games in his last 22 starts, was lifted by manager Jimy Williams after throwing 116 pitches, 71 for strikes.
