Red Sox to Get First Look at Victor Martinez in Tigers Uniform When They Take on Detroit

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Mar 15, 2011

Red Sox to Get First Look at Victor Martinez in Tigers Uniform When They Take on Detroit The Red Sox will have an opportunity to renew acquaintances with Victor Martinez when they visit the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday.

Martinez hit .313 with 28 home runs in 183 games for Boston after being acquired at the trade deadline in 2009. He was considered by many to be the Red Sox' top priority of the offseason, but instead signed a contract with the Tigers.

The four-time All-Star was a very well-respected member of the clubhouse in his short time with the Red Sox. He will spend much of his time in Detroit as a designated hitter, but will also get some time behind the plate.

Martinez slugged his first home run of the spring on Monday.

Boston enters the contest 10-8-1 in Grapefruit League play after a 2-1 win over the New York Yankees on Monday. Five relievers combined on six scoreless innings.

When and where

Red Sox vs. Tigers
1:05 p.m.
Joker Marchant Stadium, Lakeland, Fla.

Pitching matchup

RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka (0-1, 11.42 ERA) vs. RHP Justin Verlander (2-0, 0.93)

Matsuzaka was reached for five runs in 3 2/3 innings against Tampa Bay on Thursday. He did end the outing with five straight outs, something upon which the club was hoping he could build. Matsuzaka is 4-1 in six career starts vs. Detroit.

The righty has agreed to stagger his long-toss sessions and bullpen sessions in between starts. Previously, he had done them on the same day, but the change is being made in an effort to keep him from wearing down too much in that one 24-hour period.

Verlander has been lights out early in Grapefruit League play. He has eight strikeouts and two walks in 9 2/3 innings spread over three starts. Verlander is 2-2 with a 3.89 ERA in his career during Boston.

Lineups

Tigers Red Sox
Austin Jackson, CF
Ryan Raburn, LF
Magglio Ordonez, RF
Miguel Cabrera, 1B
Victor Martinez, DH
Jhonny Peralta, SS
Brandon Inge, 3B
Scott Sizemore, 2B
Alex Avila, C

Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Carl Crawford, LF
J.D. Drew, RF
Jason Varitek, C
Jed Lowrie, SS
Darnell McDonald, DH
Lars Anderson, 1B
Yamaico Navarro, 3B
Nate Spears, 2B

Did you know?

Martinez hit .324 (106-for-327) in Fenway Park while with the Red Sox.

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