April 24, 2008
SAN DIEGO, Calif. - Former San Diego State right-hander Justin Masterson made his major league debut on Thursday (April 24) as the starting pitcher for the Boston Red Sox in their home game against the Angels. He was in action after being called up from the double-A Portland Sea Dogs due to injuries and illness to a couple of Boston's regular starting hurlers.
Masterson's first outing in the majors was a good one as he tossed six innings, allowing a run on two hits with four walks and four strikeouts. He left the contest with a 3-1 lead, but when the Red Sox bullpen failed to hold that advantage he was unable to claim the victory as Boston eventually lost the game 7-5.
A member of the SDSU pitching staff for one season (2006), Masterson finished with a 4.81 earned run average over 17 games (16 starts. His 108 strikeouts and 116 innings pitched that year were both the seventh most in a season by an SDSU pitcher.
He was selected by Boston in the second round of the pro draft in June 2006 and was 1-0 with a 0.90 earned run average over four games at Portland before being summoned for today's contest at Fenway Park.