The Boston Red Sox closed out the home portion of their spring training schedule today with a come-from-behind 8-7 win over the 2008 American League Champs the Tampa Bay Rays.
Clay Buchholz finally showed that he was human this spring as he got roughed up in his final start. Buchholz went 5 1/3 innings, allowing 6 runs on 9 hits and a walk while striking out 4. He did allow 2 home runs. Justin Masterson followed him with 2 2/3 innings of work, giving up 1 run on 1 hit while striking out 3. Ramon Ramirez closed it out for the Red Sox allowing 1 hit and a walk in 9th.
Jason Varitek started the comeback with a 3-run homer, his fourth of the spring. Varitek finished with 2 hits on the afternoon. Nick Green’s 2-run double tied it up in the 8th and Angel Chavez knocked in Green with a single to win it for the Sox. Jason Bay and Dustin Pedroia has the other RBIs for the Red Sox.
It does look like Buchholz will be starting the season with the Pawtucket Red Sox unless Brad Penny isn’t ready to go on April 12th.
If I get sent down I’m just going to take as if it’s out of my power and they have their mind made up because I don’t think I could have pitched any better than I did pitch coming into spring training with all the expectations from last year. I think I did a pretty good job coming into this year. It’s going to be something to see, but whatever happens regardless I’ll still be playing ball and I’ll be up in the major leagues sooner or later.”
The Red Sox will head up I-75 tomorrow to take on the Pittsburgh Pirates in Bradenton. Josh Beckett will make his final spring start. Javier Lopez, Manny Delcarmen and closer Jonathan Papelbon are also scheduled to get some work in. There is no television coverage of the game and the only radio coverage will be on MLB.com as part of the MLB GameDay Audio Package.
Buchholz analyzes rough outing [Full Count]
Video: Mazz’s scouting report [Tony Mazz]
Breaking down the bullpen [Tony Mazz]
What’s next for Buchholz [Extra Bases]
David Ortiz determined to be a big hit without Manny Ramirez [Boston Herald]
Video: Hurlers reunite in Boston [NESN.com]
Video: Lugo expects to start upon return [NESN.com]
Youkilis on Dale & Holley [Full Count]
Lugo, Lowrie eye starting shortstop job [Eric Ortiz – NESN.com]
Red Sox set attendance record in Fort Myers [Providence Journal]
Lowell puts to rest concerns about whether he’ll be ready to start season [Providence Journal]
Rehabbing Lugo, Kotsay, Smoltz have different travel plans [Providence Journal]
Francona says that this has been smoothest spring yet [Providence Journal]
Prognosis good if Sox are healthy [Portland Press-Herald]
