Spring training is in the books, and the Boston Red Sox capped theirs in winning fashion.
Boston left Hammond Stadium on Saturday with a 4-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins, thanks to a three-run fourth inning and a pretty solid start from Justin Masterson. Though the right-hander’s performance wasn’t necessarily anything to call home about, Masterson gave up just two runs, seven hits and one walk with one strikeout over five innings of work.
The Red Sox’s bullpen held it down from there, keeping the Twins scoreless for the final four innings.
Here are some more notes from Saturday’s spring finale.
— Third baseman Pablo Sandoval, first baseman Mike Napoli and right fielder Shane Victorino batted in the three runs in the fourth inning.
Sandoval, who went 2-for-2 on the day, scored pinch-runner Jemile Weeks with an RBI single, and a groundout from Napoli brought Hanley Ramirez home. Victorino hit an RBI triple with two outs to send pinch-runner Brock Holt across the plate.
The fourth run came in the fifth inning, when Quintin Berry hit a long double to center to knock in catcher Sandy Leon.
—Â Left-handed reliever Robbie Ross Jr. continued his dominance after spending some time with the minor league squad this spring.
Since March 21, Ross has pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings with seven strikeouts, no walks and just two hits. He pitched in the sixth Saturday, giving up one of those hits and striking out Twins minor leaguer Nate Hanson.
The 25-year-old was told Friday he earned a spot in the bullpen for Opening Day.
—Â Koji Uehara is moving right along in his rehab.
Boston’s closer turned 40 on Friday, the same day that he was sent to the 15-day disabled list with a hamstring injury. Uehara threw a 35-pitch side session Saturday, and manager John Farrell told the Boston Herald that everything went swimmingly.
“He was aggressive,” Farrell said. “No ill effects or feeling in the hamstring.”
Uehara could rehab with the Single-A Greenville Drive this weekend and is expected to be ready for Boston’s April 13 home opener.
Thumbnail photo via Jonathan Dyer/USA TODAY Sports Images
