Red Sox win 4-3 despite Kelly’s early exit
By Conor Duffy
The Red Sox entered today’s game against the Mets in the midst of a three-game losing skid and, while they did pull out a 4-3 win, it came with a cost. Starting pitcher Joe Kelly left the game after 2.2 innings with tightness in his right bicep and, though it doesn’t look to be serious, injuries are never a good sign.
That bicep tightness wasn’t the only rough part of Kelly’s day today, though, as his performance against the Mets left a bit to be desired. In those 2.2 innings, Kelly allowed 3 runs on 7 hits, with the damage coming on RBI singles by John Mayberry Jr. and Anthony Recker in the second inning, plus an RBI single by Curtis Granderson in the third. This outing will continue a shaky spring for Kelly, who is now the owner of an 11.05 ERA in 7.1 innings this spring.
After Kelly left the game, though, Boston’s bullpen was lights out. The Red Sox got scoreless innings from three likely members of their bullpen in Alexi Ogando, Junichi Tazawa, and Edward Mujica. Plus, knuckleballer Steven Wright came through with three shutout innings and further made his case for a roster spot this season.
It took a little while for the Red Sox to get going at the plate, as they were stymied by Matt Harvey, who tossed four shutout innings. However, they eventually broke out for two runs in the sixth inning against one of the top pitching prospects in baseball in Noah Syndergaard. Boston picked up their first run on a solo shot by minor league catcher Matt Spring and then added another when Mookie Betts scored on a wild pitch, cutting New York’s lead to 3-2.
In the bottom of the eighth, Spring crossed the plate once more, this time coming on a ground-rule double by Blake Tekotte to tie the game at 3-3. Finally in the bottom of the ninth, the Red Sox would win on the classic walk-off passed ball as Garin Cecchini scored to give the Red Sox a win, pushing their Grapefruit League record to 8-5.
The Red Sox will stay in Fort Myers tomorrow and will send Clay Buchholz to the mound to continue his dominant spring against the Braves.