Bottom 9th, 3-2: Michael Coello shuts the door for the Jays, but the big thing we gathered from the game was another strong performance from Alfredo Aceves.
He discussed his desire to start for the Sox and this quote sums up his passion.
"It's like a dream, to start," Aceves said. "Being [a starter] in major league baseball. That's a dream. Obviously it's a dream. Of course it's something every single pitcher tries to be, be the first pitcher in the major leagues. The best. I'm not coming to play not without reason."
Mid 9th, 3-2: Michael Bowden is fighting for a spot in the bullpen, considering he's out of options.
He's tossed with pressure all spring and Thursday was no different as he shut down the Blue Jays in the ninth inning.
He'll be one to monitor as the Red Sox make roster cuts.
Bottom 8th, 3-2: Pedro Ciriaco grounded out to start the inning, but here's an interesting note.
After saying there would likely be no space for Ciriaco just two weeks ago, Red Sox skipper Bobby Valentine may have changed his tune, saying it's "possibly" a chance.
You would think since Ciriaco's made it this far and didn't get trimmed in the last cut.
Mid 8th, 3-2: Justin Thomas walked the lead-off batter, which is a no-no late in a tie game, but he was able to work around it.
But Anthony Gose stole the show — literally. He swiped home in a rare feat that people usually in baseball and it gives the Blue Jays a one-run edge.
End 7th, 2-2: The Red Sox, like the Blue Jays in the top half of the inning, had their chances in the bottom of the seventh.
Jarrod Saltalamacchia singled to lead off the inning, and was forced out on the next play, but Mike Aviles reached with a fielder's choice. Dustin Pedroia later walked to give the Sox runners at first and second with two down, but Andrew Carpenter was able to bear down and get Adrian Gonzalez to ground out to shortstop to get out of the inning.
Boston has now left seven on base for the afternoon.
Mid 7th, 2-2: The Blue Jays threatened in the seventh with a pair of singles, but Justin Thomas was able to settle down and make sure the Sox got of it unharmed.
With a pair of runners on, Thomas got Chris Woodward to fly out to Ryan Sweeney in right to preserve the tie.
Bottom 6th, 2-2: David Ortiz smoked a solo shot over the Green Monster to tie it up. It marked Big Papi's third home run of the spring.
Even when he has grounded out, Ortiz has continued to hustle on ground balls as he's rushed to first base. We mentioned it before, but it's worth bringing up to show he's dedicated to really setting an example.
Mid 6th, Blue Jays 2-1: The Blue Jays scored two runs this inning, but you can't really fault Aceves for those.
Kevin Youkilis made a fielding error that allowed Anthony Gose to get on first base. It was the third error the Red Sox have made and the Sox tallied two miscues in that inning.
After walking Rajai Davis, Aceves surrendered a two-run single to Eric Thames. Again, he's done his part and would've had two outs has Youkilis not misplayed the ball.
Of course it's not Youkilis' entire fault either, but a sign the Sox as a whole need to sharpen up the fieding.
Bottom 5th, Red Sox 1-0: Luis Perez came out to replace Toronto pitcher Drew Hutchison.
Perez fared well in his relief role, forcing Ellsbury and Pedroia to ground out. He also struck out Adrian Gonzalez.
Top 5th, Red Sox 1-0: Ryan Sweeney got his work in during this inning. Both Jeff Mathis and Ricardo Nanita flew out to right field.
Aceves recorded is fourth strikeout in the inning and has allowed just two hits through five frames. Again, he's tossing against the second — and maybe even third string — on the Blue Jays' roster.
Nevertheless, it should help his cause as he pushes to crack the rotation.
Mid 4th, Red Sox 1-0: The Sox were ever so close to completing the rare triple play.
Toronto's Yan Gomes hit a grounder to third where Kevin Youkilis helped start a 5-6-3 double play.
After getting the first two force outs, Gonzalez tossed a strike to third base and nearly caught Rajai Davis sleeping. This projected starting infield is showing good, early chemistry.
Aceves got the next out by fanning Luis Valbuena.
Bottom 3rd, Red Sox 1-0: It had the potential to be a big inning for the Red Sox. Dustin Pedroia hit a single followed by Adrian Gonzalez's double to right.
Kevin Youkilis got on base after he was plunked by Blue Jays pitcher Drew Hutchison. (By the way, Youkilis did not look happy at all after he got hit)
With the bases juiced, Ortiz grounded out into the shift. The momentum evaporated.
Mid 3rd, Red Sox 1-0: Aceves is cruising, tossing a third scoreless inning right now.
But to be fair, he's tossing against the Blue Jays' 'B' team, a group stacked with either bench players or minor leaguers.
No Jose Bautista. No J.P. Arencibia. In fact, you have to wonder if Jays manager John Farrell is trying to hide his starters from the AL East rival.
Bottom 2nd, Red Sox 1-0: Ryan Sweeney has been maligned at times this spring because of his lack of numbers at the plate.
With two outs, he doubled off the Green Monster to drive in Darnell McDonald for the game's first run. It's a small contribution, but those little things are good for a guy's confidence like Sweeney.
He's been working with hitting coach Dave Magadan on making a few tweaks at the plate.
Mid 2nd, 0-0: The game is flying by so far. Yan Gomes led off with a single, but Aceves was able to get a double play to bail himself out.
So far, Aceves and Tim Bogar look to be right as they shook off the last' horrendous start when Aceves yielded nine runs through three innings.
"He's got a track record, and he's shown us before he can pitch," Bogar said last time around. "We were trying to stretch him out to six. Obviously, it didn't work. The fact that he went out there today and kept his poise through the whole thing, too, that showed me a lot there."
Bottom 1st, 0-0: It was a quick inning on this end, with Jacoby Ellsbury and Adrian Gonzalez grounding out while Dustin Pedroia striking out.
Both Ellsbury and Gonzalez haven't homered at all this spring to the surprise of many. But Valentine said don't read into that too much because he certainly isn't.
Mid 1st, 0-0: Alfredo Aceves is starting off much better than his last outing on the mound.
He induced two quick pop ups, which should help his pitching efficiency. This will be a big start for him.
It could be the make-or-break deal on whether he returns to the bullpen or sneaks into the Sox' rotation.
12:30 p.m.: Here are the lineups.
Red Sox
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Kevin Youkilis, 3B
David Ortiz, DH
Darnell McDonald, LF
Ryan Sweeney, RF
Kelly Shoppach, C
Mike Aviles, SS
Alfredo Aceves, P
Blue Jays
Anthony Gose, CF
Rajai Davis, RF
Eric Thames, LF
Yan Gomez, 1B
Luis Valbuena, SS
Jeff Mathis, C
Ricardo Nanita, DH
Jonathan Diaz, 2B
Chris Woodward, 3B
Drew Hutchison, P
11:30 a.m. EST: Alfredo Aceves will be taking the mound for the Red Sox against they go up AL East rival Toronto Blue Jays.
Aceves endured his worst outing in quite some time in his last start, but the hurler and Red Sox bench coach Tim Bogar believe it was an aberration.
Aceves is eyeing a spot in the rotation and this start could prove crucial. As the game goes on, Felix Doubront will be throwing against minor league competition as he continues to prepare for a shot at the rotation.
Drew Hutchison will get the start for Toronto, and first pitch from JetBlue Park in Fort Myers is scheduled for 1:35 p.m.
