Adrian Gonzalez Hoping to Build on Successful Debut by Jumping Into Red Sox-Yankees Rivalry

by Tony Lee on Mon, Mar 14, 2011 at 5:34PM

Adrian Gonzalez is expected to get his first taste of the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry on Monday night in what will be just his second game in a Boston uniform.

Gonzalez had a spectacular but brief debut for the Red Sox on Saturday in his first game since undergoing offseason shoulder surgery. He singled off Florida Marlins ace Josh Johnson on the first pitch he had seen in a game since Oct. 3, when he was finishing his year with the San Diego Padres, and had a sacrifice fly in his second plate appearance.

The first baseman is expected to get two trips to the plate once again.

Boston may also welcome back left fielder Carl Crawford, who sat out the last two games. If so, it would mark the first time the team’s two big offseason acquisitions were on the field at the same time, and could give the Yankees some idea of the lineup they will face during the regular season.

Alfredo Aceves is on the mound for the Red Sox, facing his former team. Aceves was 14-1 with a 3.21 ERA in 59 career games while with New York.

When and where

Yankees vs. Red Sox
7:05 p.m., NESN
City of Palms Park, Fort Myers, Fla.

Pitching matchup

LHP Manny Banuelos (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Alfredo Aceves (0-1, 3.68)

Aceves had gone seven innings this spring without allowing an earned run before Tampa Bay reached him for three runs on Thursday. Mitre has been scratched what an apparent rib cage injury and will be replaced by the 20-year-old southpaw, Banuelos, who is considered the Yankees’ top pitching prospect. Coincidentally, the Yankees purchased both Aceves and Banuelos (as well as two others) together from the Mexican League in 2008.