On the same day Bobby Valentine finally announce his final two starters, he also sent what could be his Opening Day lineup to the field to face the Twins.
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Kevin Youkilis, 3B
David Ortiz, DH
Cody Ross, LF
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
Ryan Sweeney, RF
Mike Aviles, SS
Vicente Padilla, P
Vicente Padilla started the game for the Red Sox today but is likely to see a long relief role on the team after Felix Doubront and Daniel Bard were given the final two bullpen spots today.
Padilla pitched a strong 1 1/3 allowing 2 hits, no runs and striking out a pair on just 21 pitches.
Scott Atchison came on in relief and pitched 2 2/3 innings, he allowed just a hit, no walks and struck out 3.
The only run the Twins mustered out of Red Sox pitching came when Chris Parmelee hit a solo homer off Garrett Mock.
Pedro Ciriaco came on to pinch run for Kevin Youkilis in the sixth inning after Youk was hit by a pitch. The speedy infielder stole second and third before Cody Ross smacked a double to drive him in and give the Red Sox their first run of the game.
Ryan Sweeney went on to drive in Cody Ross with a single, Mike Aviles doubled to left to drive in Sweeney and push Twins starter Carl Pavano out of the game after 5 2/3.
The replacement, Alex Burnett was greeted by a triple off the bat of Jacoby Ellsbury that pushed across the Sox’ fourth run of the inning. The inning may have been extended further but Ellsbury tried to score when the ball kicked off of him into left field and was thrown out at the plate.
Adrian Gonzalez and Pedro Ciriaco hit consecutive doubles in the bottom of the seventh to give the Sox their fifth and final run of the game.
Pedro Ciriaco may have seen his chances of making the team dwindle away with the news of Andrew Bailey’s injury but if an opportunity opens up down the road, we could see Ciriaco with the big club in 2012.
That’s the wrap for today’s game. The Red Sox head up to face the Washington Nationals in the final two games before Opening Day baseball April 5th.
Final Score: Red Sox 5 Twins 1