The Boston Red Sox haven’t been particularly happy to see old friend Pedro Ciriaco this week.
The Atlanta Braves shortstop, who played 104 games for Boston between 2012 and 2013, has been an unlikely offensive star in two games against his former club, going 5-for-8 with two doubles, three RBIs and one run scored.
How unlikely was his outburst? Well, entering the home-and-home series, Ciriaco had hit safely just seven times all season.
Man, that Summer of Ciriaco feels like ages ago.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUz4YFLx99Y
Let’s dive into some more notes from Wednesday’s game, which the Red Sox lost 5-2 at Turner Field thanks in part to two Ciriaco RBIs.
— Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington met with reporters in Atlanta before the game, addressing the potential for mid-season dealing but declining to offer specifics on which areas the team could be looking to improve.
“If we get deeper into the season and there are trades that will make us better, we’ll consider those trades,” Cherington said, via the Boston Herald. “We’re not considering anything else right now other than trying to get better.”
— Cherington also commented on the story that broke earlier this week regarding the St. Louis Cardinals allegedly hacking the Houston Astros’ computer database.
“I’ve never suspected (another team of hacking), but certainly there’s an awareness to it,” Cherington told reporters, via The Providence Journal. “We have people in the organization who are always thinking about that, trying to make sure that proprietary information is protected.
“I don’t have any reason to be concerned something more than maybe a piece of paper is leaving the door (when someone in the front office leaves for another team). I don’t think that’s happening.”
— The Sox on Wednesday signed five of their 2015 draft picks: right-hander Ben Taylor (seventh round), infielder Tucker Tubbs (ninth round), infielder Mitchell Gunsolus (10th round), left-hander Matt Kent (13th round) and infielder Chad De La Guerra (17th round).
First-round pick Andrew Benintendi has yet to sign, but Cherington expects a deal with the Arkansas outfielder to be completed shortly.
“We expect for that to get done some time soon, but we don’t have anything to announce right now,” the GM told reporters, via MassLive.com.
— As Red Sox fans watching this series surely have noticed, the Braves employ a whole bunch of players who have suited up for the Sox in the past. Here’s how the Boston castoffs have fared over these last three games:
Pedro Ciriaco: 5-for-8, two doubles, three RBIs, one run scored
Jonny Gomes: 1-for-7, three walks, one run, four strikeouts
Kelly Johnson: 1-for-8, three strikeouts (Johnson played 10 games for Boston last season)
Ryan Lavarnway: 0-for-2, one strikeout
A.J. Pierzynski: 3-for-8, one double, three RBIs, two walks
Both of Pierzynski’s free passes came Wednesday, which only is noteworthy because the veteran catcher had walked just seven times this season and nine times in 72 games with the Red Sox last season.
— Hitting for the cycle is a decent way to boost your fantasy stock.
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Thumbnail photo via Jason Getz/USA TODAY Sports Images
