BOSTON -- Fielding Game 1 of the World Series on a short hop.

In < 25 words ...
The rust definitely showed on the Rockies. With Josh Beckett in dominant form, the Red Sox rolled to a 13-1 victory.

Frozen moment
Trying to keep the Rockies in the game, trailing 4-1, starter Jeff Francis got two quick outs in the fourth. But David Ortiz singled, Manny Ramirez doubled and Mike Lowell was walked intentionally to load the bases. Jason Varitek lashed a 2-1 line drive over third for a ground-rule double, and Francis' night was over after he struck out J.D. Drew.

Big number
12 -- The Red Sox and Rockies combined for a World Series-record 12 doubles -- but eight of those were by the Sox, tying a Series record.

Game balls

Todd Helton

After playing 1,585 Major League games, Helton, the franchise's centerpiece, finally appeared in a World Series game. He doubled in his second at-bat against Beckett and singled in his third at-bat but was stranded each time.


Troy Tulowitzki

He didn't have to wait nearly as long as Helton, but the rookie also had a memorable World Series debut. He lashed the first pitch he saw, a Beckett fastball, off the Green Monster for an RBI double in the second, cutting Boston's lead to 3-1. Tulowitzki doubled again in the seventh.


Garrett Atkins

Four straight Rockies had gone down on strikes against Beckett before Atkins lifted a curveball off the Green Monster with one out in the second, scoring on Tulowitzski's double.

Sense of October
Three runs down after a rough first inning by Francis, the Rockies stirred in the second on doubles by Atkins and Tulowitzki, cutting the deficit to 3-1. But Beckett restored order, and by the fifth inning the Sox had Francis out of the game and were feasting on the bullpen.

Lines of the Game


TULOWITZKI
Hitting
Tulowitzki
3 AB, 2 H, 2 2B, 1 RBI
Comment: The rookie shortstop came out swinging against Beckett, showing he can get around on one of the game's best heaters by pulling a pair of doubles.

FRANCIS
Pitching
Francis
4 IP, 6 R, 10 H, 3 BB, 3 Ks
Comment: Francis' second pitch of the game was sent over the Green Monster by Dustin Pedroia, and the Rockies ace never found a groove, needing 103 pitches to get 12 outs.

JIMENEZ
Spoken
"I'm not worried about it. I'm just going to go out there and face everybody like it's the same, just throw strikes and go after them." -- Rockies Game 2 starter Ubaldo Jimenez