Notes From Saturday’s Red Sox Games

March 17, 2012; Sarasota, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles second baseman Robert Andino (11) gets out Boston Red Sox catcher Ryan Lavarnway (60) before throwing over to first to complete the double play in the sixth inning at Ed Smith Stadium. The Red Sox and Orioles ended in a 3 – 3 tie. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-US PRESSWIRE

Red Sox fans got a double dose of the good stuff Saturday, and as always it didn’t disappoint. For those that didn’t get to watch, let me catch you up.

Game 1 –(Not in any particular order)

First, Josh Beckett was impressive today. If the man has something to prove then he looks poised to prove it. (I know success in the spring isn’t guaranteed come April, but let me be optimistic.)

Beckett finished the game with 5 IP, 1ER, 2H, 2K and a walk. All while throwing just 59 pitches. So far this spring his ERA sits at a petite 1.29. Hopefully he can finally scratch the even year inconsistency or whatever you wanna call it. Just dumb luck if you ask me.

On the offensive side of things it was Cody Ross who stole the show with a double and a solo homer over the replica monster. He continues to show the power that appealed to the Red Sox, making him the front runner to stay in the outfield even after Crawford gets back.

Lars Anderson hit a liner to left that drove in two runs but was thrown out at second. Anderson is the Red Sox prospect who is assumed to be on the trading block as he is blocked by Adrian Gonzalez at first base.

The Red Sox would win this game 7-3 on the strength of Josh Beckett’s five inning, one run performance.

Game 2

Aaron Cook started the other game for the Red Sox allowing just 1H, 1BB while striking out one in 3 1/2 innings. Pretty good for a guy who was thought to be behind the rest of the pitchers fighting for a job. If he can stay healthy and continue to build stamina he could be a front runner for the fifth starter spot. His ground ball inducing quality could play really well at Fenway. (He has gotten 16 outs this spring, 8 of them coming on ground balls)

Nate Spears stole the show in this game when he hit a three run homer in the top of the fifth.

Ryan Lavarnway came up big in the game as well. With a 3 for 3 performance the young catching prospect now has 8 hits in his 17 at bats this spring. Anyone else want him to start the season in Boston as Salty’s backup? His defense might be spotty but his bat is legit, maybe we can make him Josh Becketts “personal catcher”.

Anyways, the Red Sox ended up tying the Orioles with a score of 3-3 in 10 innings. Just another day in spring training.

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