By Robert Green

ST, PETERSBURG, Florida (Reuters) - Boston Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka held Tampa Bay hitless for six innings to help his side to a 2-0 victory in the first game of the American League Championship Series on Friday.

Matsuzaka gave up two hits to open the seventh inning, but got the next three outs to keep the Rays scoreless. He left the game after giving up two more hits in the eighth, before three Boston relief pitchers combined to get the last six outs.

The right hander struck out nine and walked four, three of which were in the first inning.

"He really threw the ball well. He doesn't give in. The ball had a lot of life," said Boston manager Terry Francona.

Boston got its first run in the fifth inning when Jed Lowrie drove in Jason Bay on a sacrifice fly. Bay had walked and then advanced into a scoring position on a double by Mark Kotsay.

The Red Sox scored again in the eighth inning on a single and a stolen base by Dustin Pedroia and a double by Kevin Youkilis.

Game Two is on Saturday in St. Petersburg with Scott Kazmir (12-8) starting for the Rays against Josh Beckett (12-10).

Rays manager Joe Maddon said he was confident the Rays would get over the loss.

"You can't get too down about it. It was a clean game. It was a good game."

(Editing by Greg Stutchbury)