JUPITER, Fla. - It is early still, but the signs could not be much more encouraging for Josh Beckett [stats].
Beckett did not allow a run and required only 50 pitches in his four innings of the Red Sox [team stats]’ 4-2 loss to the Cardinals yesterday. Including his two-inning start against Boston College, Beckett has yet to allow a run while surrendering just five hits in 11 innings in Florida.
Assessing pitching in the spring is always a delicate balancing act for both player and coaching staff, since there is a concerted effort not to make too big a deal about results. Beckett’s command was not his sharpest, by his own estimation. He allowed his first walk of the spring, but the fact that it came against a slugging threat (Chris Duncan) with two outs and first base open meant it was a smart walk.
“I felt good. I threw all my pitches - I threw some good curves, I threw some good changeups. I felt like, in baseball situations, things wound up pretty well today,” Beckett said. “I didn’t think (my command) was that sharp, but I got away with it because it wasn’t down the middle. They hit some balls at some guys and guys played good defense.”
Manager Terry Francona was impressed by pretty much everything.
“Thirteen of 15 first-pitch strikes, he elevated some fastballs - not necessarily by design - but also I thought it was a good sign that he didn’t get hit around very much,” Francona said. “It seems like whether it’s spring training or the middle of the year, if you work ahead, catch the ball, you usually have a pretty clean inning.”
All twisted up
Outfielder Jonathan Van Every sprained his right ankle rounding second base looking for a triple and had to be replaced by Chip Ambres.
“It swelled up pretty quick,” Francona said.
Van Every, 29, appeared in 11 games for the Red Sox last year. He is expected to provide outfield depth for the big league club, although will start the season at Triple-A Pawtucket. . . .
Justin Masterson threw two scoreless innings and has yet to be scored upon in nine frames this spring. Michael Bowden blew a save, allowing two runs on one hit in two innings. He now has allowed seven runs in 4 innings this spring. Marcus McBeth allowed the game-winning home run, a two-run blast by Joe Mather in the the ninth. . . .
Leadoff hitter Josh Reddick began the game with an easy-looking triple off Chris Carpenter, who finished with nearly the same line as Beckett’s: four innings, two hits, no runs, two walks and one strikeout.
Missing the ride
Jacoby Ellsbury [stats] did not accompany the team after all, as the team decided they did not want the ailing center fielder (hamstring) to endure the 2:45 bus ride from Fort Myers.
Ellsbury is expected in the starting lineup tonight against the Yankees. Mike Lowell will make his 2009 debut at third base, after appearing as the designated hitter Tuesday. He is expected to play four innings or so in the field and then return Sunday. David Ortiz [stats] will DH tonight, with Jason Bay playing in left.
Julio Lugo [stats] was not happy about the performance of his country, the Dominican Republic, in the World Baseball Classic. For the second time, the D.R. did not advance out of the first round.
“It’s a national embarrassment for us,” Lugo said. “I’m very shocked.”
He said the media in the Dominican is “killing” the team.
“There’s nobody to blame; we didn’t hit,” Lugo said. “Those guys (the Netherlands, who beat the D.R. twice) just played good. You’ve got to give them credit. It’s not easy to play the D.R. under that pressure.”
Beckett did not allow a run and required only 50 pitches in his four innings of the Red Sox [team stats]’ 4-2 loss to the Cardinals yesterday. Including his two-inning start against Boston College, Beckett has yet to allow a run while surrendering just five hits in 11 innings in Florida.
Assessing pitching in the spring is always a delicate balancing act for both player and coaching staff, since there is a concerted effort not to make too big a deal about results. Beckett’s command was not his sharpest, by his own estimation. He allowed his first walk of the spring, but the fact that it came against a slugging threat (Chris Duncan) with two outs and first base open meant it was a smart walk.
“I felt good. I threw all my pitches - I threw some good curves, I threw some good changeups. I felt like, in baseball situations, things wound up pretty well today,” Beckett said. “I didn’t think (my command) was that sharp, but I got away with it because it wasn’t down the middle. They hit some balls at some guys and guys played good defense.”
Manager Terry Francona was impressed by pretty much everything.
“Thirteen of 15 first-pitch strikes, he elevated some fastballs - not necessarily by design - but also I thought it was a good sign that he didn’t get hit around very much,” Francona said. “It seems like whether it’s spring training or the middle of the year, if you work ahead, catch the ball, you usually have a pretty clean inning.”
All twisted up
Outfielder Jonathan Van Every sprained his right ankle rounding second base looking for a triple and had to be replaced by Chip Ambres.
“It swelled up pretty quick,” Francona said.
Van Every, 29, appeared in 11 games for the Red Sox last year. He is expected to provide outfield depth for the big league club, although will start the season at Triple-A Pawtucket. . . .
Justin Masterson threw two scoreless innings and has yet to be scored upon in nine frames this spring. Michael Bowden blew a save, allowing two runs on one hit in two innings. He now has allowed seven runs in 4 innings this spring. Marcus McBeth allowed the game-winning home run, a two-run blast by Joe Mather in the the ninth. . . .
Leadoff hitter Josh Reddick began the game with an easy-looking triple off Chris Carpenter, who finished with nearly the same line as Beckett’s: four innings, two hits, no runs, two walks and one strikeout.
Missing the ride
Jacoby Ellsbury [stats] did not accompany the team after all, as the team decided they did not want the ailing center fielder (hamstring) to endure the 2:45 bus ride from Fort Myers.
Ellsbury is expected in the starting lineup tonight against the Yankees. Mike Lowell will make his 2009 debut at third base, after appearing as the designated hitter Tuesday. He is expected to play four innings or so in the field and then return Sunday. David Ortiz [stats] will DH tonight, with Jason Bay playing in left.
Julio Lugo [stats] was not happy about the performance of his country, the Dominican Republic, in the World Baseball Classic. For the second time, the D.R. did not advance out of the first round.
“It’s a national embarrassment for us,” Lugo said. “I’m very shocked.”
He said the media in the Dominican is “killing” the team.
“There’s nobody to blame; we didn’t hit,” Lugo said. “Those guys (the Netherlands, who beat the D.R. twice) just played good. You’ve got to give them credit. It’s not easy to play the D.R. under that pressure.”
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