The Boston Red Sox came out swinging.
The Red Sox produced 13 hits, scored seven runs over the first four innings and fended off a late rally Sunday to defeat the Philadelphia Phillies 7-6 in Grapefruit League action at JetBlue Park. Each member of the Red Sox’s starting lineup recorded a hit in the victory.
It was an eventful day of baseball at the Red Sox’s spring training complex in Fort Myers, Fla., so let’s run down some notes.
— The Red Sox started the day with an obstacle course relay race. It featured two teams, and the losing team needs to make the long trek to Jupiter, Fla., on Tuesday.
According to the Providence Journal, the teams broke down as follows:
Team Pedroia: Dustin Pedroia, Xander Bogaerts, Allen Craig, Daniel Nava, Rusney Castillo, Jackie Bradley Jr., Jemile Weeks, Humberto Quintero, Quintin Berry
Team Sandoval: Pablo Sandoval, Mookie Betts, Brock Holt, Deven Marrero, Garin Cecchini, Bryce Brentz, Jeff Bianchi, Matt Spring, Luke Montz
Team Sandoval pulled out the victory, with Betts playing the role of hero. David Ortiz served as the referee, donning zebra stripes and all.
Click for videos of the race >>
— Betts carried the relay momentum into the game. He hit an inside-the-park home run and a double.
Betts is hitting .471 this spring.
Center field competition: over.
— Hanley Ramirez crushed his first home run of the spring to straightaway center field. He also delivered a two-run single and finished with five RBIs.
— Steven Wright appears to have the inside track on the Red Sox’s “sixth starter” role.
The Red Sox’s starting rotation to begin the season is expected to include Clay Buchholz, Joe Kelly, Rick Porcello, Wade Miley and Justin Masterson. Boston will need another starter at some point, though, and Wright is one of six pitchers manager John Farrell identified early in camp as being part of Boston’s second tier of starters.
Wright has performed well so far, posting a 1.80 ERA over 10 innings this spring. The knuckleballer allowed only two hits over four shutout innings Sunday. He struck out two and walked two.
“He continues to get outs,” Farrell told reporters in Fort Myers. “I thought he threw a number of really quality knuckleballs today, and it’s not hard to envision him pitching quality innings for us at some point this season.”
Wright likely will begin the season at Triple-A Pawtucket, but he’s ready to step in on a moment’s notice.
“I feel like if I’m going to be on this team, that’s going to be my role,” Wright said of being Boston’s go-to fill-in starter. “And I love that role. I love the fact that no matter what day it is, I have a chance to pitch. That’s what I like.”
— Kelly, who was pushed back from his scheduled start Sunday as a precaution, threw an extended bullpen session. He told reporters he felt “really good” and that the biceps soreness that knocked him out of his last start no longer is an issue.
— Clay Buchholz absolutely dominated in a minor league game.
Buchholz fired five no-hit innings in which he struck out 10 and walked only one. He’s expected to pitch Friday against the Atlanta Braves and likely will make one more start after that before toeing the rubber Opening Day.
Thumbnail photo via Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports Images
