Yesterday marked the first time Jon Lester had faced big league competition. His first two outings during the 2012 Boston Red Sox spring training campaign came against Northeastern and a “B” game against the Minnesota Twins.
He had his command issues early on issuing three walks but he settled down after that and threw the ball well. All total in four innings of work, Lester allowed a run on one hit and four walks while striking out two.
Aaron Cook made his spring debut for the Red Sox and went two innings. He had command of his sinker for the most part. Cook ended up walking two and striking out one.
As a whole it was a good day for the Red Sox pitching staff who took part in the game. They allowed just three hits with the second hit coming in the 8th inning when Doug Mathis allowed a hit. Justin Germano also allowed a hit in the game.
The Red Sox did most of their damage early in the game against Orioles starter Dana Eveland. They got a run in the first and two in the second while adding two more in the seventh and the last one in the ninth.
Dustin Pedroia had a nice game going 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Cody Ross was 2-for-2 while seven others each had a hit.
We are way too early in spring training to really know how this team is going to shape up. But so far, things are looking good. Obviously there’s still some competition going on but as we get a little deeper into spring training, we’ll know more about this time.
So for now, we watch how the pitchers are doing in getting themselves ready for the season and see how the position battles work themselves out.
To see the lineups for this afternoon’s game plus the overnight and morning links, please click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.
After beating the Baltimore Orioles 6-1 yesterday in Sarasota, the Red Sox return home to the friendly confines of JetBlue Park for a matchup with Ozzie Guillen’s Miami Marlins.
The first pitch today is scheduled for 1:35 p.m. and the game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN. There is no radio broadcast for today’s game.
Here are today’s lineups:
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| 1. Jose Reyes | SS | 1. Nick Punto | 2B |
| 2. Emilio Bonifacio | CF | 2. Kevin Youkilis | 3B |
| 3. Greg Dobbs | 1B | 3. Adrian Gonzalez | 1B |
| 4. Austin Kearns | RF | 4. David Ortiz | DH |
| 5. Omar Infante | 2B | 5. Ryan Sweeney | RF |
| 6. Chris Coghlan | LF | 6. Cody Ross | LF |
| 7. Aaron Rowand | DH | 7. Kelly Shoppach | C |
| 8. Matt Dominguez | 3B | 8. Darnell McDonald | RF |
| 9. Brett Hayes | C | 9. Mike Aviles | SS |
| Ricky Nolasco | SP | Josh Beckett | SP |
Beckett will be followed by RHP Mark Melancon, RHP Andrew Bailey, RHP Ross Ohlendorf, RHP Scott Atchison and LHP Jesse Carlson.
Nolasco will be followed by LHP Sean West, RHP Tom Koehler, RHP Chad Gaudin and RHP Gary Glover.
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MORE LINKS WILL BE ADDED BEFORE GAME TIME AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE
For Aaron Cook and Jon Lester, a reminder of an unforgettable memory [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]
Source: Red Sox will pursue Soler [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]
Source: Sox didn’t make offer for Lannan [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]
For openers, Lester looks sharp [Boston Globe]
Aviles handling a tough hop [Boston Globe]
Cook, line and sinker [Boston Herald]
Stiff Jose Iglesias sits [Boston Herald]
Power point for Ryan Sweeney [Boston Herald]
Morning Bobby V. with lots of bunting talk [Clubhouse Insider]
Valentine: Crawford ‘just about ready’ [CSN New England]
Lester adjusts, throws four solid innings vs. O’s [CSN New England]
Crawford: ‘It’s getting better’ [CSN New England]
Bailey, Ohlendorf to make spring debuts today [CSN New England]
Slim pickings at first [ESPN Boston]
Sweeney states case to start in right [ESPN Boston]
Lester pleased with outing, cutter [ESPN Boston]
Valentine on the art of the bunt [ESPN Boston]
Crawford waiting to accelerate routine [Extra Bases]
The travel team for Tampa tomorrow [Extra Bases]
Carl Crawford begins throwing [Extra Bases]
Red Sox post-game notes: For Aaron Cook, it’s a start [Full Count]
Monday morning with Bobby Valentine: Could Aaron Cook be in the bullpen mix? [Full Count]
Early Monday clubhouse notes: Bob McClure defends the windup from Bobby Valentine’s attacks [Full Count]
Aaron Cook Makes Spring Training Debut, Looks Sharp in First Action With Red Sox [NESN.com]
Kelly Shoppach Catches Jon Lester for First Time in Seven Years, Notes Progression in Lefty [NESN.com]
The Heir Apparent [PawSox.com]
Cook looks sharp in first outing [Projo Sox Blog]
Lester enjoys more “realistic” game action [Projo Sox Blog]
Red Sox excited for March Madness, too [Projo Sox Blog]
Bobby V doesn’t want to see much traditional sac bunting [Projo Sox Blog]
News and notes from Fort Myers: Miller, Iglesias, Cook [Projo Sox Blog]
Lester yields one run in Grapefruit League debut [RedSox.com]
Iglesias scratched from ‘B’ game with injury [RedSox.com]
After shaky first inning, Lester finds rhythm [RedSox.com]
Cook up and running in derby for rotation spot [RedSox.com]
Valentine being coy when it comes to lineup [RedSox.com]
For more slices of Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, CSN New England, ESPN Boston, NESN, Providence Journal, RedSox.com and WEEI websites.
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Photo credits: Getty Images, Getty Images, Getty Images
