Francona said Beckett has been cleared of anything serious, but was held out for precautionary reasons and will keep his regular schedule with a start on Friday.
“It might cost him getting stretched out one inning,” Francona said. “He wasn’t feeling good at all. The more we talked about it, you could tell he was kind of battling it. I don’t know if we would’ve got a lot of good to come out of [starting him], so he’ll just stay right on his [regular schedule].”
That schedule will include a side session on Beckett’s normal day, provided he recovers OK.
What the illness did was force replacement starter Ryne Miller into a bit of a hectic day.
“That’s tough duty,” Francona said of Miller stepping into Beckett’s spot and struggling through a three-run first inning. “That kid at 10:30 was planning on pitching a game at 11:30 over at the [minor league] complex and then he’s got the Mayor’s Cup on his shoulders.”
Francona said that Miller enjoyed the stint, despite the rough outing.
The 24-year-old right hander was one of a slew of fill-in pitchers as the Sox tried to just eat innings on a day that got thrown for a loop.
“You never want to embarrass yourself not having enough pitching so we ended up bringing some young kids over because we were really scrambling there for a minute,” Francona said.
It worked well. The quartet of Chad Paronto, Jorge Sosa, Tommy Hottovy and Scott Patterson combined for 4 2/3 scoreless innings.
Tim Wakefield is scheduled to start when Boston returns to City of Palms Park for a Monday afternoon game against Baltimore.
Red Sox 6-4, Final: Scott Patterson now has a win and a save to show for his two innings of work this spring as he gets the last three outs in this one.
The Sox improve to 8-3 in Grapefruit League play and 3-1 in their seven-game series with the Twins.
Boston got all six runs in the third and fourth innings, using a hit batter and two errors to plate four in the fourth.
The heart of the order did the damage. Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis and Jeremy Hermida combined to go 6-for-9 with four RBI.
Mid 9th, Red Sox 6-4: Three more outs and the Mayor’s Cup lead is 3-1, putting the Twins up against it in this fierce spring rivalry.
That was a bit of sarcasm, which seems to be the way the trophy is treated down here. But for what it’s worth, the Sox are a game away from clinching their fourth straight cup.
End 8th, Red Sox 6-4: Tommy Hottovy works around a single to keep the Sox on top and it looks as if Scott Patterson will have a shot to get the last three outs for Boston.
Jason Varitek met with reporters moments ago and offered some comments on his Grapefruit League debut. He said he feels good and expects to play Tuesday when the Sox travel to Kissimmee to meet the Astros.
Terry Francona said the same earlier in the day so it’s all systems go for ‘Tek, despite taking a pretty good one off his left arm in this one.
“It hit it pretty good, just got me in a good spot,” said Varitek, who added he may get some at-bats soon at the minor league camp just to catch up on things.
We’ll get Francona’s take a little later. Check the site for a more complete look at Varitek’s return.
Mid 8th, Red Sox 6-4: A leadoff double by Aaron Bates goes for naught and left hander Tommy Hottovy is on to try to protect a two-run lead.
Hottovy saw 16 games in relief at Double-A Portland last year.
End 7th, Red Sox 6-4: While we were gone things moved along rather smoothly. Jorge Sosa just worked a perfect seventh for the Sox.
3:21 p.m.: The Sox clubhouse is open and we’ll be stepping away for a bit to see what they have to say.
Mid 6th, Red Sox 6-4: Jeremy Hermida singles to lead off the sixth but a pinch runner is stranded at second base.
It was another quality effort for Hermida, who is now 6-for-16 with four RBI this spring. His two-run double in the fourth got the Sox on the board and he tracked down a couple drives deep in right.
End 5th, Red Sox 6-4 : Ramon A. Ramirez gets a second inning of work and continues to have serious issues throwing strikes.
The 27-year-old right hander walked leadoff man Michael Cuddyer and then did the same to Jason Kubel. Brendan Harris worked a full count before getting a sacrifice fly to left.
Brock Peterson then worked Ramirez’s fifth walk in one-plus inning before Terry Francona mercifully pulled the righty. Chad Paronto relieved Ramirez and made quick work of the next two Twins hitters.
Mid 5th, Red Sox 6-3: Jason Varitek puts up a good fight with Glen Perkins in his second plate appearance of this, his first Grapefruit League game.
The captain worked Perkins to a 3-2 count and fouled off a few pitches before a delivery caught him on what looked like the right forearm. Mark Wagner came on to pinch run for Varitek.
That’s when all heck broke loose.
Wagner moved to second on an error that also allowed Bill Hall to reach, putting runners on the corners with one out. A walk to Josh Reddick loaded them up and Jacoby Ellsbury followed with a dribbler toward first base. With Ellsbury blazing down the line, first baseman Brock Peterson rushed a flip to the pitcher covering and it rolled away for an error, letting Reddick race to third. Two runs scored on that play, one came in when Dustin Pedroia doubled and still another on Kevin Youkilis’s second single.
Only a double play pulled on David Ortiz allowed Perkins to escape any more trouble.
Interestingly enough, the ugly Twins inning began when left fielder Juan Portes robbed Marco Scutaro of extra bases with a diving catch down the line.
End 4th, Twins 3-2: Ramon A. Ramirez completely loses the plate after coming on to relieve Joe Nelson, but helps himself out with a fine defensive play.
Ramirez, still in the mix for a bullpen spot when the club heads north, walked two and allowed a single to load the bases. He then got Orlando Hudson to ground into a 1-6-3 double play.
Mid 4th, Twins 3-2: Well, the Red Sox are on the board. All they needed to do was wait for Kevin Slowey to leave.
Once the Twins starter departed Boston broke through against big Jon Rauch, who has been rumored to be in line for the club’s closer role if Joe Nathan’s elbow does not respond to rest.
Dustin Pedroia got the first hit on a single to right and Kevin Youkilis followed with one to left. One out later, Jeremy Hermida ripped a double into the corner to drive in both runners.
Hermida was thrown out trying to get to third after the relay went home.
End 3rd, Twins 3-0: Right fielder Jeremy Hermida has been a busy man, and figures to remain so as long as he is in the game. There is a massive breeze blowing out to right and balls that look like pop-ups are carrying to the warning track.
Hermida tracked down the first two outs of the inning on the track and has three putouts in the last two frames.
The Twins made some noise after the two Hermida catches when Joe Nelson walked Michael Cuddyer and then allowed a sawed-off single to Brendan Harris. Brock Peterson grounded out to end it.
Mid 3rd, Twins 3-0: Another quick inning for Kevin Slowey and another new pitcher for the Red Sox.
After Slowey fans two (Jason Varitek, Josh Reddick), Joe Nelson comes on for the Red Sox.
Slowey is perfect through three and has now allowed two hits in eight scoreless innings this spring.
End 2nd, Twins 3-0: The Twins go much quieter in the second as Scott Atchison comes on to retire the side in order.
It appears as if Joe Nelson is warming in the Red Sox bullpen and will be next to get the call.
Mid 2nd, Twins 3-0: It’s been a study in contrasts thus far between starters Kevin Slowey and Ryne Miller, who has been replaced after one inning by Scott Atchison.
Slowey again sets the Sox down in order in the second. This time he strikes out David Ortiz before getting Jeremy Hermida on an easy grounder to short and Marco Scutaro on a lazy fly to right.
1:30 p.m.: A day after his live batting practice session was called off due to neck pain, Daisuke Matsuzaka decided to give it some more rest.
“I feel a little bit better than yesterday, but I discussed things with the coaches and trainers and the decision was to give it one more day,” Matsuzaka said in a statement. “Beyond tomorrow, we are going to see based on how I feel tomorrow.”
So, essentially, nothing has changed from yesterday. Matsuzaka remains day-to-day and has yet to throw to hitters this spring.
End 1st, Twins 3-0: Ryne Miller’s first go-round with the big club did not go well, although he should have another inning or two to try to make amends.
Miller was hit hard in the first and struggled to throw strikes. After walking Alexi Casilla to start the frame, he gave up an RBI double to the gap in right-center field off the bat of Orlando Hudson.
Following another walk and a fly out, Brendan Harris drove one over the head of Josh Reddick in left, plating two more. Michael Cuddyer, who drew the second walk, scored just ahead of the relay.
Brock Peterson then crushed one right at third baseman Bill Hall for the second out and Jacque Jones popped to catcher Jason Varitek to strand Harris.
Miller started soft, throwing nothing over the mid-80s. He did get things up into the 90s a little later on, although the gun once showed 104 mph so we’ll take its readings with a grain of salt.
Mid 1st, 0-0: Kevin Slowey made quick work of the Red Sox in the first, working like he had somewhere to be.
Slowey got Jacoby Ellsbury to fly to left and Kevin Youkilis to fly to right. In between he pumped a fastball by Dustin Pedroia for strike three.
For those of you wondering who Ryne Miller is and what Josh Beckett’s replacement is all about, here is a quick synopsis.
Miller, 24, is a Texas native who has slowly moved up the system since 2007. He was a closer at Weatherford College but did make three starts at Double-A Portland last year.
Since a difficult run at Greenville of the South Atlantic League in 2008, Miller has made some strides. He was 10-4 with a 2.76 ERA at Portland and Single-A Salem in 2009.
1:00 p.m.: The public address announcer here at Hammond Stadium just announced the temperatures back in Boston and Minneapolis, inducing groans among the masses.
It’s 69 and sunny here in Fort Myers. Sorry.
12:30 p.m.: Greetings from high atop Hammond Stadium in the south side of Fort Myers, where the Red Sox and Twins are getting set for their fourth meeting of the spring.
We gave you the Red Sox lineup earlier. Here is the rundown for the Twins, who are 5-4 in Grapefruit League play:
Alexi Casilla, SS
Orlando Hudson, 2B
Michael Cuddyer, CF
Jason Kubel, DH
Brendan Harris, 3B
Brock Peterson, 1B
Jacque Jones, RF
Juan Portes, LF
Drew Butera, C
On the mound to start things off for Minnesota is Kevin Slowey. He threw three scoreless innings in a 5-0 win over Baltimore on Monday.
11:10 a.m.: As we get set to drive south to Hammond Stadium, I just wanted to share this tidbit from Sox manager Terry Francona.
When discussing how he spent all morning sending players to the minor league camp, Francona reminisced about his first “send down” moment.
“I remember when I was the number one pick of the Expos. I went and pinch hit and when I came back to the dugout [manager] Dick Williams told me “Thanks, now go to Daytona.”
Francona actually seemed thankful that the Expos had lived up to a promise that he would get to play in the big league camp, even if it was only for one at-bat. His locker was cleaned out and he was on the road to Daytona before the game ended.
As for his brief appearance before Williams sent him packing? Francona struck out.
10:50 a.m.: Josh Beckett has been scratched from his start against the Twins due to an undisclosed illness, team officials just announced.
Beckett was seen in the clubhouse eating breakfast with several other players. Among the items spotted on his plate were a pair of tangerines. Not sure if those had any effect.
In any case, minor leaguer Ryne Miller will start in his place. Miller, 24, was 2-2 with a 2.75 ERA at Portland last season.
Heading over to Hammond Stadium in a moment. We may get more on Beckett’s condition later on, but since he was up and moving just fine this morning it doesn’t appear to be anything serious. Tim Wakefield is scheduled to start Monday against Baltimore.
9:15 a.m.: Sox manager Terry Francona will meet with the media in a few minutes, but before we get word from the skipper it’s worth noting that Jason Varitek will be in the lineup when the team heads across town to face the Twins.
It will be Varitek’s first real game of the spring. He was 1-for-2 in the game against Boston College back on March 3.
The Sox lineup for today’s tilt in Hammond Stadium looks like this:
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Kevin Youkilis, 1B
David Ortiz, DH
Jeremy Hermida, RF
Marco Scutaro, SS
Jason Varitek, C
Bill Hall, 3B
Josh Reddick, LF
Josh Beckett will be trying to build upon his three perfect innings Monday against St. Louis.
8:46 a.m.: The Mayor’s Cup series returns as the Red Sox head across town to take on the Minnesota Twins in a matinee at Hammond Stadium.
Josh Beckett gets the start for the Sox. He has been electric thus far, allowing just a run on two hits in five innings, striking out four.Also slated to get some action on the mound for Boston is Scott Atchison and Adam Mills. Kevin Slowey will start for the Twins.
The Red Sox lead the Grapefruit League series with their Fort Myers rivals 2-1.
First pitch is set for 1:05 p.m. and we will follow all the action for you right here.
