If There’s Grass On The Field…
Bill Romanowski’s Alma Mater 1
Boston 7
In their first organized baseball game since last October, a Red Sox split-squad team defeated the Boston College Eagles.
Some highlights:
- Chris Carter belted a 3-run double. (It took me all of 20 minutes, but I’m finally convinced. He should have Mark Kotsay’s roster spot.)
- SS prospect Yamaico Navarro belted a HR and a double.
- Josh Beckett and Clay Buchholz combined for 3 perfect innings.
- Junichi Tazawa made his American baseball debut, throwing a handful of pitches in a flawless outing.
- Daniel Bard and his 100-MPH heat made an appearance against the terrified BC hitters (one of them got a hit off him, though).
- Rocco Baldelli struck out a couple of times. I have no doubt this was intentional; he wanted to let a couple of college pitchers have the thrill of striking out the best Rhode Island athlete since Davey Lopes.
- In a moment of extreme levity, the Sox sent 48-year-old staff coach Ino Guererro up to the plate as a pinch hitter. Guererro, over twice the age of every player on the opposing roster, drew a walk.
The other half of the Red Sox spring training team will suit up against the Minnesota Twins in the first game of the 2009 Mayor’s Cup. This one will be on NESN. Plan accordingly.
