Red Sox Notes From Tuesdays Game, Daniel Bard Goes Five
By John Green
Red Sox starting pitcher Daniel Bard bounced back from an ugly relief appearance this past week, throwing five innings allowing 3H,3ER, 3BB and striking out two.
Bard started off shaky giving up three runs in the second inning but was able to settle in nicely and finish off his outing without allowing another run. The Red Sox setup man turned starter threw 83 pitchers, 49 for strikes and retired the final eight batters he faced. In order to stay in the rotation Bard will have to learn how to minimize those big innings but he’s still in the early stages of his transition and at this point he has a chance to become a legitimate fourth starter.
Four Red Sox relievers combined to give up six runs over the final four innings of the game. Jesse Carlson and Michael Bowden gave up a run a piece while Doug Mathis and Matt Albers each gave up a pair.
The offense was quiet for the Red Sox Tuesday night with their only two runs coming on a 2-run homer off the bat of Kelly Shoppach in the second inning.
Jacoby Ellsbury was 1 for 3 in the game leaving his spring average at .310 thus far.
Mike Aviles was the only Sox player with more than one hit. He went 2 for 3 with a double. His average to this point in the spring is .265.
Andrew Miller, another Red Sox pitcher who was in the competition for a rotation spot may have seen those hopes washed away tonight. Miller was removed from the game after just two pitches with what was considered a mild hamstring strain.
The Red Sox bats couldn’t pick up Daniel Bard in this one as Aaron Laffey seemed to have their number for the majority of the game and they still couldn’t put together any significant hits against Jay’s relievers leading to a 9-2 loss.
With just 14 games left in spring training I wanted to remind readers that BoSox Injection will be producing a Live Blog starting April 5th. Our readers can stop by and join the chat or just follow along of the game isn’t available to you. Either way, make it fun!
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