There was much joy in Ft. Myers today as the Boston Red Sox clinched the coveted Mayor’s Cup with an 11-5 win over the Minnesota Twins at City of Palms Park. It’s the fourth straight Mayor’s Cup for the Red Sox, who lead the series 4-2 with one game to go.
Clay Buchholz started for the Red Sox and gave up four early runs, two of them off the bat of the $184 million man Joe Mauer. But he settled down after that, retiring the final eight batters he faced. He allowed four runs on five hits with no walks and recorded seven strikeouts.
Scott Atchison improved his stock once again as he allowed two hits in 1 1/3 innings while Hideki Okajima struck out two in his inning. Ramon Ramirez retired both batters he faced and Jonathan Papelbon gave up an unearned run on a hit with two strikeouts.
The Red Sox were able to pound out 16 hits off of five Twins pitchers, including 11 by the 2,3 and 4 hitters of Dustin Pedroia, Victor Martinez and Kevin Youkilis.
Pedroia had three hits and a stolen base while VMart had four hits and three RBIs. Youk added four hits and an RBI. David Ortiz hit a 3-run bomb and Tug Hulett, pinch-hitting for Big Papi, had a 3-run bomb as well. Bill Hall had the other RBI.
We’re heading into the final week of spring training and we now the rotation. What we don’t know is who the backup shortstop will be or who will be in the bullpen.
But one thing’s for certain, those questions will be answered this week as we are now just seven days away from Opening Day against the defending World Series Champions, the New York Yankees.
The Red Sox will entertain the Tampa Bay Rays in their final night game of spring training on Monday night at City of Palms Park. Josh Beckett will make his final start of spring training as he prepares for his Opening Day start against the Yanks.
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Red Sox notes: Buchholz finds a positive solution [CSN New England]
Circling the bases with Tug Hulett [ESPN Boston]
Buchholz focuses on finishing kick [ESPN Boston]
Stats Show Rest Is Best For Josh Beckett, But Should Red Sox Have a Six-Man Rotation? [ESPN Boston]
Clay Buchholz Still Learning Mental Side of Pitching Like Pro [NESN.com]
Good news, bad news for Clay Buchholz [Projo Sox Blog]
Ambivalence reigns as Red Sox clinch Mayor’s Cup [Projo Sox Blog]
Papelbon just about ready to start the season [Projo Sox Blog]
Ability to adjust gives Buchholz boost [RedSox.com]
