With their hearts heavy, the Boston Red Sox took the field with the good news that Daisuke Matsuzaka and Hideki Okajima were able to reach their families back in Japan. Saturday also marked the spring debut of one of the prized pieces off the offseason, Adrian Gonzalez.
Gonzalez got two at-bats in the game and hit a single on the first pitch he saw from Florida Marlins. He also had an RBI sacrifice fly in his second AB that was part of the 9-2 win at a sold-out City of Palms Park.
All told, the Red Sox pounded out 16 hits on the afternoon.
Jacoby Ellsbury went 3-for-3 with two doubles, a solo home run with three RBIs. Dustin Pedroia was also 3-for-3 with an RBI while David Ortiz went 2-for-3. Mike Cameron went 1-for-2 with an RBI with Jarrod Saltalamacchia adding a hit in two AB’s. Paul Hoover, Daniel Nava and Michael Almanzar also knocked in a run each.
John Lackey made the start for the Red Sox and looked good out there as he was able to use all of his pitches. He did allow six hits but only gave up one run with three strikeouts. Randy Williams bolstered his chances to make the big club as he struck out three in 1 2/3 innings.
Bobby Jenks made another appearance, walking one and adding a strikeout in his inning of work. Matt Fox allowed an unearned run on a hit and a walk as he was the victim of a Ryan Khoury error. Blake Maxwell finished it off by walking one and striking out one.
The Red Sox will take a ride up I-75 on Sunday as they head to Bradenton to take on the Pittsburgh Pirates. Josh Beckett will start for the Red Sox with Scott Atchison, Andrew Miller and Daniel Bard also scheduled to pitch. Mike Cameron, J.D. Drew, Jose Iglesias, Ryan Kalish, Darnell McDonald, Daniel Nava and Jason Varitek will also be part of the Red Sox contigent making the trip.
You can catch the action on NESN at 1:05 p.m. if you live in the Red Sox television market.
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Francona on Gonzalez return [Clubhouse Insider]
Gonzalez happy to be back [Clubhouse Insider]
Lackey locked in [Clubhouse Insider]
Epstein shoots down trade report [Clubhouse Insider]
Lackey in mid-season mode [CSNNE.com]
Ellsbury continues torrid spring [CSNNE.com]
Gonzalez impresses in Red Sox debut [CSNNE.com]
Source: Dice-K among trade possibilities [ESPN Boston]
Quick hits: Adrian Gonzalez [ESPN Boston]
New first baseman shows he can play a little [ESPN Boston]
Red Sox void Bergmann’s contract [Extra Bases]
Quotes and a few notes [Extra Bases]
Gonzalez ‘felt great’ in Sox debut [Full Count]
Lackey: Sox lineup means pitchers should ‘run into several wins’ [Full Count]
Marlins manager: Andrew Miller will benefit from change of scenery [Full Count]
About that tattoo… Dustin Richardson reflects on being traded by the Sox [Full Count]
Red Sox Rule 5 draftee Cesar Cabral goes from Rays to Blue Jays [Full Count]
Jacoby Ellsbury Not Surprised by Sizzling Start to Spring Training [NESN.com]
Send Jerry Remy a Question to Be Answered During Red Sox-Pirates Spring Training Game [NESN.com]
Gonzalez goes 1-for-2 in spring debut [Projo Sox Blog]
Lackey delivers solid outing [Projo Sox Blog]
Ellsbury continues scorching week [Projo Sox Blog]
Aceves gets the nod for Monday [Projo Sox Blog]
Red Sox break out bats for Adrian’s debut [RedSox.com]
Ellsbury not surprised by strong spring [RedSox.com]
Lackey getting closer to regular-season ready [RedSox.com]
2011 Prospect Previews: Chris Balcom-Miller and Michael Bowden [SoxProspects.com]
For more slices of Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, CSNNE, ESPN Boston, NESN, Providence Journal and WEEI websites.
Photo credit: AP Photo
