In the morning before the game against the Hanshin Tigers, Boston Red Sox pitchers Mike Timlin, Tim Wakefield, Curt Schilling and Bryan Corey took time out of their day to go visit troops stationed at Camp Zama. Schilling being the wiseass said “We’re flying in a machine with 30,000 moving parts built by the lowest bidder”. Here is the video of their visit.

Before the game, Manny Ramirez opened up again to the media saying that he wanted to hit 600 home runs in his career and play 6 more years in Boston.

“I know what lays ahead, I’m going to get two more years here, and then I’m going to get four more years, so it’s going to be six years,” he said. “I’m going to finish my career here.”

“I’m ready to play and I prepare myself good to play the game. I’m just going to go, have fun, play the game and that’s it.

“I’m going to get to 600. Why not? The skies the limit, there’s not limit … I’m going to play six more years. There’s no doubt I can do it.”

I wonder if Manny drank too much sake last night. Given how hard Manny works, I can definitely see him playing for another six years. The big question will be whether or not the Red Sox pick up his option at the end of the season.

Much like some NCAA teams were last week, Bryan Corey is on the bubble of making the Red Sox.

Here’s a look at the opening ceremonies from the game today. Nothing really exciting as it’s just the American and Japanese National Anthems.

 

Powered by home runs from David Ortiz and J.D. Drew, the Red Sox beat the Hanshin Tigers 6-5 in front of 37,431 fans at the Tokyo Dome Saturday afternoon (Yes I know it’s still morning here).

The Sox put up a 4-spot on the scoreboard in the first inning on the home runs from Big Papi and Drew. Big Papi’s was a solo shot and Drew’s was a 3-run jack.

Mike Lowell (2-3 with a walk), Kevin Youkilis (2-5 with 2 RBIs) and Big Papi (2-4 with an RBI) all had two hits for the Sox. Jason Varitek picked up three walks in the game.

Clay Buchholz was on the bump for the Sox and didn’t do all that well. He threw 3 2/3 innings giving up 4 runs (all in the 2nd inning) on 6 hits and 2 walks. He left the game with the bases loaded for Kyle Synder who worked out of the jam. The bullpen was solid as Synder, Javier Lopez, Manny Delcarmen and Jonathan Papelbon combined for 5 1/3 innings of 4 hit ball giving up 1 run by Snyder.

The Red Sox will take on the Yomiuri Giants on Sunday at 6:05 AM ET. You can catch the game on WRKO 680AM or watch the game with Japanese announcers on MLB.tv if you have the subscription.

It’s a totally different atmosphere over there watching the game. The crowd is very vocal and chanting similar to a European soccer match. The game also had a Red Sox flair with the music as “Sweet Caroline” held it’s traditional spot in the bottom of the 8th inning. Papelbon even came out to his Dropkick Murphys tune “I’m Shipping Up to Boston”.

Kevin Youkilis checked in again on his blog as did Curt Schilling.

For more raw pieces of Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, Hartford Courant and Providence Journal websites.