Red Sox crush Rockies in opener

Boston's Dustin Pedroia became only the second player to begin the World Series with a home run as the Red Sox destroyed Colorado 13-1 at Fenway Park.

The result was a record for a World Series opener and the Red Sox became the first club to hit eight doubles in a Series game since 1925.

Rockies starting pitcher Jeff Francis was hit for six runs in four innings.

Boston piled on seven runs in the fifth when reliever Ryan Speier walked three straight batters with the bases loaded.

Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett began the game by striking out the first four Colorado batters, while Pedroia's opening homer put the home side on the way to a 3-0 first innings lead.

David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez each had three hits and notched two runs apiece to lead a relentless 17-hit Boston attack.

But Boston manager Terry Francona said his team would not bask in their game one success.

"Sometimes the lopsided score can happen once you get into the bullpen," said Francona, whose hitters faced six different pitchers.

"We'll put it behind us and move on to tomorrow."

Colorado manager Clint Hurdle added: "We're a no-excuse ball club. We got outplayed."

Game two is on Thursday at Boston's Fenway Park before the Series shifts to Denver for game three on Saturday.

Source: BBC Sport