FORT MYERS, Fla. — Red Sox manager Terry Francona doesn't build his postseason rotation around an exhibition game against Boston College. However, he could take a little something from the effort by his pitchers on Saturday afternoon.
After six Boston pitchers, perhaps none of whom will be on the Opening Day roster, combined on a one-hitter in a 6-0 win over the Eagles, Francona could reflect on early efficiency.
"We talk early about just building arm strength," Francona said. "They were always pounding the strike zone, so that's good. These college kids are coming out a gymnasium, for the most part, but our guys threw strikes and that's important."
Starter Stolmy Pimentel, a 21-year-old right-hander whom the organization likes a lot, struck out a pair in two scoreless innings. Michael Bowden and Jason Rice followed with a perfect inning apiece.
Boston College did not get a man on base until Red Sox right-hander Clevelan Santeliz issued a walk to Mike Sudol with one out in the fifth. Santeliz struck out the other three batters he faced in the frame and Matt Fox fanned two men in a perfect sixth.
Randy Williams, the lone left-hander utilized by Francona, gave up the only hit of the game to start the seventh and final inning. He picked up Boston's eighth strikeout of the game before a grounder to third base ended the shutout.
No Eagle reached second base, although Jim Laufer, who broke up the no-hitter, tried. He was thrown out attempting to stretch his shot down the line in left into a double.
Kyle Weiland will start the nightcap against Northeastern University. Alex Wilson, lefty Rich Hill, Tony Pena Jr. and Matt Albers are expected to follow.
