While the Boston Red Sox were across the state losing to the New York Mets 6-5, first baseman Adrian Gonzalez was back in Ft. Myers taking batting practice for the first time this spring. The reports were good and Gonzalez will take Monday off to see how his shoulder feels.
“Sign him!” bellowed David Ortiz after watching Gonzalez take 25 swings at balls pitched to him by Class AAA Pawtucket manager Arnie Beyeler.
“It’s about time,” joked Dustin Pedroia. “We traded half the farm system for him.”
“It felt good the whole time. It was good to get out there,” Gonzalez said. “The pitcher is throwing the same way he is in the cage. [But] from a hitters’ perspective, you just want to see the trajectory of the ball and you get to see the whole length of the trajectory and all that. You get to really see if you got good backspin on the ball or not.”
It should be only a matter of time before we see Gonzalez playing in spring training games. And it appears he should be ready for opening day in Texas on April 1st.
Meanwhile in Port St. Lucie, Michael Bowden and Andrew Miller were getting roughed up.
Bowden was making a spot start for Jon Lester who missed the game due to the flu. Bowden allowed two runs on three hits and a walk in two innings of work.
Miller had a rough go of things for the first time this spring. He left a few pitches up in the zone in his first inning of work and the Mets took advantage. He did settle down in his second inning of work. Overall on the day, Miller was charged with three runs on four hits with a strikeout.
Hideki Okajima worked a perfect inning while Rich Hill went two innings allowing a hit with a strikeout. Alex Wilson took the loss after allowing a run on three hits in an inning.
Of the Red Sox regulars to make the trip, only Jed Lowrie (two hits) and Daniel Nava (two hits) had hits for the Red Sox. Josh Reddick hit a 2-run homer with Juan Carlos Linares adding a solo shot. Tim Federowicz added two hits including a solo home run of his own. Lars Anderson went 0-for-3 but did add an RBI.
The Red Sox will be back in Ft. Myers at City of Palms Park on Monday to face the Baltimore Orioles at 1:05 p.m. John Lackey will make the start for the Red Sox and Dan Wheeler, Randy Williams and Kyle Weiland are also scheduled to pitch. Chris Tillman will start for the Orioles with Jason Berken, Josh Rupe and Chorye Spoone also scheduled to pitch.
To continue reading, click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.
To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click
Red Sox make it, eventually, to Port St. Lucie [Clubhouse Insider]
Gonzalez takes batting practice for the first time [CSNNE.com]
Aceves healthy, open to any role for the Red Sox [CSNNE.com]
Notes: Bowden starts in place of Lester (sick) [CSNNE.com]
Gonzalez takes BP for first time [ESPN Boston]
Miller opening some eyes [ESPN Boston]
Gonzalez takes his swing onto the field [Extra Bases]
Cameron a hot trade commodity? [Extra Bases]
Gonzalez takes major step on Sunday [Full Count]
Curt Young Brings Impressive Resume to Red Sox As He Replaces John Farrell As Pitching Coach [NESN.com]
Jerry Remy Says Competition for Left-Handed Job in Red Sox Bullpen Becoming Spring’s Biggest Story [NESN.com]
Photos from Today’s (3/5) Exhibition Game (and Pre-Game Stuff) — Red Sox vs. Orioles [Oriole Post]
Adrian Gonzalez takes first batting-practice swings [Projo Sox Blog]
Nava makes best of frantic cross-Florida trip [Projo Sox Blog]
Adrian getting close to making spring debut [RedSox.com]
Iglesias knocking on big league door [RedSox.com]
Okajima, Hill turn in scoreless relief outings [RedSox.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
