FORT MYERS, Fla. — Saturday was a long day for the Boston Red Sox.
The Red Sox played two games against the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday — one in Sarasota and one in Fort Myers — as part of Boston’s first split-squad day of spring training. The Sox dropped both contests, bringing their Grapefruit League record to 2-7-1.
Wins and losses don’t mean much in spring training, so losing two games by a combined score of 20-5 is no reason to panic. The Red Sox clearly are working on some things, though.
Below are some notes from Saturday’s action.
-Will Middlebrooks and Bryce Brentz homered in the first game, which the Red Sox lost 7-3. Each slugger collected two hits.
Brentz’s home run was his third of spring training. The 25-year-old is hitting .333 (6-for-18) with six RBIs in seven spring contests.
-Brentz had a two-strike, opposite-field single to go along with his two-run bomb. That impressed manager John Farrell, who is getting his first extended look at Brentz this spring.
“Right-handed power is a rarity,” Farrell told reporters in Sarasota on Saturday. “He’s by no means a finished product, but there’s a lot of raw skills there that certainly translate and makes him a strong prospect.”
Brentz’s power is intriguing. Brentz hit 30 homers in 115 games split between Single-A Greenville and High-A Salem in 2011, and totaled more homers (36) than any other Red Sox minor leaguer between 2012 and 2013.
The Red Sox’s major league outfield situation is pretty much set, but Brentz, who is on the 40-man roster, could become an option in 2014 if injuries strike. He might also become a consideration in 2015 if Jonny Gomes leaves via free agency.
-Henry Owens gave up three earned runs on five hits in 2 1/3 innings in Game 1. He struck out one and walked two.
-Brandon Workman gave up two earned runs on four hits in 3 1/3 innings in Game 2. He struck out two and walked two.
-Miguel Celestino gave up six runs (three earned) while failing to record an out in the seventh inning of Game 2. The 6-foot-6 right-hander certainly didn’t receive any help from his defense, though.
-The Red Sox committed six errors in a sloppy defensive effort in Game 2.
-Jonathan Herrera made two errors in the second game. The Red Sox are working to get him more comfortable at third base.
“In that utility role, we’ve got to get him caught up to speed at third base,” Farrell said. “But each game he’s come in, he’s given us energy. He’s got the ability to handle the bat. He’s run the bases well. He’s been as advertised when we acquired him from Colorado.”
-Christian Vazquez launched a towering two-run homer over the JetBlue Monster in the ninth inning of Game 2.
-Jake Peavy faced live hitters at Fenway South on Saturday. He’s still scheduled to make his spring debut Thursday.
-Shane Victorino said he’s still a switch-hitter despite speculation he might begin batting solely right-handed.
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