Boston’s Manny Ramirez slides into second base after smacking a double to left in the third inning yesterday.

BOSTON — It started off very badly. It ended in the same fashion.

Red Sox starter Daisuke Matsuzaka, unbeaten this season until yesterday, returned from a brief rehab stint with the PawSox and completely imploded as the Cardinals scorched him for seven runs in one-plus inning of work en route to a 9-3 blowout at Fenway Park.

Matsuzaka, who was activated from the disabled list (mild rotator-cuff strain and fatigue) prior to his start, struggled from the very first pitch he threw. He walked the Cardinals’ lead-off hitter before Aaron Miles drilled a two-run homer to get it started for St. Louis.

Matsuzaka, the Japanese right-hander, allowed four runs in the first inning and came out to start the second, but was given the hook by manager Terry Francona when he loaded the bases with no outs. Rookie Chris Smith made his major-league debut in relief, and after striking out Rick Ankiel, the 27-year-old right-hander surrendered a grand slam to the Cardinals’ Troy Glaus as St. Louis grabbed an 8-0 advantage.

It was only the second inning, but the game was over.

Matsuzaka entered the game with an 8-0 record, along with a 2.53 ERA, in 11 starts before he was placed on the DL. He made a rehab start for Pawtucket last Monday at Lehigh Valley in which he dominated the IronPigs, allowing two runs on three hits in five innings.

But he wasn’t sharp at all yesterday.

“We were all expecting and anticipating him coming back,” said Francona. “From the very first hitter, it was a rough day. When he came out, there were no complaints of soreness, fatigue or anything, so that’s a good sign. I’m hopeful we can just chalk this up to a bad outing.”

His one inning of work was the shortest by a Red Sox pitcher since Derek Lowe worked only one inning on Sept. 18, 2004 at New York. Matsuzaka’s previous low was 2 2/3 innings on Sept. 8, 2007 at Baltimore.

“There wasn’t a lot of location and nothing was real sharp,” said Francona. “Again, he stated that he felt fine. It was a tough day for him.”

Matsuzaka will keep to his normal routine until his next start, and said after the game that his health is fine.

“I don’t think there is any problem,” he said. “I was hoping to do a good job after being away for so long, but I don’t think the gap itself was a part of the problem.”

After throwing 35 pitches in the first inning, as the Cardinals batted around, it was only a matter of time before Dice-K’s day was over.

“I can’t think of anything that was good,” he said. “Things were mostly bad today. I just hope that I can get back to a good spot as we go forward and when I’m given my next chance to start, I hope I can do better.”

When the Red Sox placed him on the DL May 30 (retroactive to May 28), there was plenty of discussion between Matsuzaka and management about the possibility of a rehab start. After he accepted the decision, he was good in that start for the PawSox . But when he was asked yesterday if he came back too soon and maybe needed another rehab appearance, he disregarded that notion.

“I didn’t feel like I needed it,” he said.

He did say he felt a little anxiety, both mentally and physically, heading into the game. His primary concern was just to throw the ball and hoped he could continue his progress from before he went on the DL. That didn’t happen.

The Sox’ Alex Cora (two RBI) and J.D. Drew (solo homer) were the only offensive spark for Boston yesterday. Drew hit his 14th homer of the season in the sixth inning and he now has 10 during the month of June. He has also hit safely in 17 of 19 games this month.

The fact the Red Sox were down, 8-2, after two innings didn’t help their comeback chances.

“It’s a tough way to play,” said Francona. “We talk so much about scoring first and then scoring next and that’s exactly what they did.” Cardinals

9

Red Sox

3

Next Game

Today

vs. St. Louis

1:35 p.m.

jmcdonal@projo.com