After the first 3 innings, things did not look good for the Red Sox. Kevin Slowey had retired the first 9 Red Sox he faced, 4 of them via strikeouts, while Sox starter Ryne Miller gave up 3 runs in a rough first inning.
The Sox turned things around in the 4th and 5th innings, though. Pedroia and Youkilis would both single before Jeremy Hermida brought them in with a two out double down the right field line. Then, in the 5th, they grabbed the lead from the Twins. Jason Varitek was hit by a pitch, Bill Hall reached on an error, and Josh Reddick drew a walk to load the bases for Jacoby Ellsbury. With 2 strikes, Ellsbury dribbled one up the first base line, bringing in Mark Wagner from 3rd. Brock Peterson, the first baseman, tried a desperation flip to the pitcher covering, but threw it away, allowing Bill Hall to come in behind Wagner. Pedroia and Youkilis would follow with back-to-back hits, putting the Red Sox up 6-3.
The Sox pitching was a 9-inning bullpen effort, with the only run allowed after Ryne Miller coming from Ramon A. Ramirez, who managed only a very shaky 4 outs while giving up 4 walks and a hit. Otherwise, the remaining Sox pitchers allowed only 2 hits and 2 walks over 6.2 innings.
Notes
- Most of the minor leaguers of note have moved down to the minor league training camp. This means no more Iglesias, Kelly, Kalish, etc., and a much less interesting Spring Training.
- Jed Lowrie is suffering from fatigue issues. For a guy who was finally looking health--especially his wrist--this has to be frusturating. The Red Sox are already reeling from the news that Ryan Westmoreland will need brain surgery to correct a cavernous malformation.
- Speaking of medical issues, Josh Beckett who was scheduled to start today was scratched because due to illness, but that's not supposed to be anything more than your typical sick day.
- No technical difficulties from NESN today.