Before we get into the Boston Red Sox news and notes, I have to announce that I should finally be able to stay focused on the blog as I am now the proud father of a kidney stone that was born last night around 11:45 PM. Both father and kidney stone are resting comfortably. And for those who’ve never had them, the passing of them is painless, it’s all the fun before hand that sucks and hurts like heck. But enough about my kidney stone.
I missed the Red Sox news yesterday so we’ll just recap quickly what happened in Saturday’s game which was a 9-4 win over the Minnesota Twins that clinched the Mayor’s Cup (Red Sox lead 3-1 with 1 game to play).
Brad Penny made his second start for the Red Sox and he scattered 4 hits in 4 innings while allowing 2 runs. Javier Lopez was roughed up for 2 runs on 3 hits in one inning of work while Hideki Okajima worked a perfect 1 2/3 innings. Devern Hansack finished it off with 2 1/3 innings of one-hit ball.
Rocco Baldelli, David Ortiz and Jason Bay all hit home runs for the Red Sox in the game.
One other note from Saturday is that unless the Red Sox make a trade for a catcher, the backup catcher’s job is George Kottaras as Dusty Brown was optioned to Pawtucket. Devern Hansack was also sent back to Triple-A.
Yesterday brought Brad Wilkerson’s departure from Red Sox camp as he was most likely told that he won’t be making the trip north with the team. There was still a game to play though as the Red Sox headed up I-75 to take on the World Champion Phillies.
Jon Lester got the start in the 3-1 win over the Phillies. Lester went 5 innings, allowing 1 run on 6 hits and 4 walks while striking out 5. Jonathan Papelbon followed with an inning of work that saw him walk two and strikeout 2 while Ramon Ramirez struck out 2 in his inning of work. Manny Delcarmen worked the final 2 innings, giving up 2 hits and a walk.
On on the offensive side of things for the boys from Beantown, Chris Carter, competing for the final spot due to Mark Kotsay’s injury with Jeff Bailey, had 2 hits, including a solo home run. Bailey had one hit and knocked in a run as well. Jacoby Ellsbury also added a solo home run.
The competition for the final spot will probably come down to whether Terry Francona wants a left-handed or right-handed bat off the bench. Carter, the lefty, and Bailey, the righty, both have had a really good spring training and both can play the outfield and first base. My guess is that it will be Carter to give the Sox a lefty bat off the bench to start the season.
Today the Red Sox head to the land of Mickey Mouse as they are at the Disney Sports Complex to take on the Atlanta Braves. It will mark the first start of the spring for Daisuke Matsuzaka, who is coming off another MVP performance in the World Baseball Classic for his native Japan. There is no television or radio coverage for the game.
Playing some ‘soft’ ball [Boston Globe]
Wilkerson is a going concern [Boston Globe]
Smoltz’s patience paying off [Boston Globe]
Change suits Jon Lester [Boston Herald]
No Surprises [Hit and Run With Dan Roche]
Velazquez, Ambres to be sent down [Projo Sox Blog]
Bullpen may not be sorted out until late April [Projo Sox Blog]
Brown, Hansack sent down [Projo Sox Blog]
Jon Lester’s changeup a sweet addition to his fastball and cutter for the Red Sox [Providence Journal]
Bailey, Carter vying for final spot on Red Sox roster [Providence Journal]
Mark Kotsay getting back in the swing [Providence Journal]
For Sox, options aplenty in setup role [redsox.com]
Bailey or Carter’s dream will come true [redsox.com]
Change in the air: Lester adds pitch [redsox.com]
