Daisuke Matsuzaka was on target for the Red Sox in Game One yesterday and guided Boston to victory.

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The Providence Journal / Bob Breidenbach

BOSTON — Things have quieted down for Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka in 2008.

It’s clear the 27-year-old Japanese import is a lot more comfortable on and off the field in his second season in the majors. As a result, the right-hander’s performances have been solid for most of this year as he helped the Red Sox to a 5-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in Game One of the day/night doubleheader yesterday at Fenway Park. He got the victory and moved to 7-0 this season, tying the Angels’ Joe Saunders for the American League lead in wins.

Matsuzaka, who finished his rookie season with a 15-12 record and 4.40 ERA, worked 6 2/3 innings yesterday, allowing two unearned runs on seven hits with two walks and six strikeouts. It was his third start this season in which he didn’t allow an earned run. He’s been especially efficient in his last four starts, allowing only three earned runs in 25 2/3 innings for a 1.05 ERA.

“I certainly feel less anxiety in facing these batters,” he said. “I wouldn’t say that I feel completely comfortable, but more comfortable than last year.”

Basically, he’s been solid. Still, he wasn’t all that pleased with his outing yesterday.

“It wasn’t great,” he said. “But I felt I was able to get out of some jams and build myself a decent game today.”

Boston gave Matsuzaka enough run support early in order for him to settle in and cruise into the seventh inning. The Red Sox had a 1-0 lead when David Ortiz drilled a three-run homer in the second inning to give Boston a 4-0 advantage. Matsuzaka did the rest until he allowed the two unearned runs with two outs in the seventh inning.

What was unusual about the unearned runs was the fact Red Sox third baseman Kevin Youkilis made an error on the left side of the infield for the first time since July 25, 2007. After the error, the very next offering from Matsuzaka was crushed by the Brewers’ Mike Cameron for a two-run homer.

Matsuzaka then surrendered a single to Ryan Braun that ended his night. Red Sox manager Terry Francona said the right-hander could have gone a little deeper, but since he was at 103 pitches, and lefty Prince Fielder was stepping into the batter’s box made the decision easier.

“He got into a rhythm as the game progressed,” said Francona of Matsuzaka. “He left a cutter out over the middle to Cameron, and then Fielder, with the way he’s swinging the bat, dictates making a move. He did a good job and he threw his off-speed pitches for strikes. He was around the plate and established he was going to throw strikes. It looked like for a while he was going to get us deeper in the game than he did. But, again, Fielder standing up there left-handed makes you think twice.”

Matsuzaka is only two wins away from matching teammate Josh Beckett’s mark of staring the season 9-0, which Beckett accomplished last year. Dice-K was asked after yesterday’s game about being the ace of the staff this season, but he quickly dismissed that notion.

“As a player I want to keep winning,” he said. “But I think that Boston’s ace is Josh Beckett.”

Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek said Matsuzaka was able to get ahead in the count early, which allowed him to expand the strike zone and keep the Brewers’ hitters off balance.

“He was good,” said Varitek. “He was able to work out of some jams. The important thing was when he got in trouble he was still able to make some pitches, get some popups, ground balls and strikeouts. I don’t think he was at his best today, but he was able to get through it and work late into the game.”

The victory in Game One yesterday snapped Boston’s four-game losing skid, which Matsuzaka said was weighing on him to do well.

“I was well aware of our losing streak,” he said. “I definitely wanted to do what I could to put a stop to that.”

He did.

jmcdonal@projo.com