RED SOX FALL 8-2 TO TWINS

With a win, the Red Sox would have clinched their 6th Mayor's Cup, but the Twins had other plans. Tim Wakefield got the start for the Sox and looked pretty good. He allowed just one hit in his two innings of work.

Mike Lowell gave the Sox a 1-0 lead with a solo homerun to leadoff the 2nd. But then Clay Bucholz came in. Bucholz allowed 4 runs in the 3rd off 5 hits and a walk. But he didn't look as bad as his line suggests. There were several hits that blooped into gaps, and a few that could've been caught by Red Sox fielders (Manny).



Bucholz's second inning of work was a quick 1-2-3. Hideki Okajima worked into and out of a jam in his inning. Javier Lopez, and Manny Delcarmen had scoreless innings. Then Craig Hansen came in and looked awful. He gave up 4 off 2 hits and 3 walks.

The Red Sox offense didn't look that good. Lowell's homer, and an RBI single by Pedroia produced the only 2 runs of the day. Crisp, Manny, Drew, and Youkilis were all held hitless. Although Drew did have a nice outfield assist at home plate.



The next televised Red Sox spring training game will be Thursday afternoon on ESPN. The Red Sox will host the Dodgers.

Source:
BostonRedSox.com

Photo Credits:
Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images
AP Photo/Brita Meng Outzen

LESTER TOUCHED UP IN SPRING DEBUT

The Red Sox beat the twins 7-6 yesterday, but the news out of Fort Myers wasn't all that good. Here was Jon Lester's pitching line:

1.0 IP, 2 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 0 K, 0 HR

He also had a Wild Pitch. It is Spring Training, and it was his first appearance, but that's just not good. If he has another outing like this in March, there will be problems.

Papelbon also pitched an inning, allowing a hit, no runs, and striking out one. Brandon Moss continued to excel, going 2 for 2 with a stolen base, and a 2 out RBI single which turned out to be the winning run. Young catcher Dan Brown had tied it up with a solo homerun. Brown was 2 for 2. The backup catchers have been the most impressive on offense so far.

The Sox take on the Twins...again, this afternoon on NESN.

Source:
BostonRedSox.com