Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The Miami Marlins came to town to take on the Red Sox on Tuesday as part of a split squad day. In Sarasota, the Sox also took on the Orioles. While Boston managed to hang on to take other game, a ninth inning home run spoiled Drake Britton‘s day, leading to a 5-4 defeat.
Bench coach Torey Lovullo took the reins for this game as Manager John Farrell helmed the team for the other game. Out of respect for the veteran players, most of the vets get to stay at home while the younger players tend to hit the road. Despite the appearance of David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia, Grady Sizemore, and Mike Napoli, the club managed to muster only six hits against a Marlins staff that did not feature any names that would be familiar to all but the most avid Sox fans unless Brian Flynn is a name that is familiar to you. He posted an 8.10 ERA in 18 big league innings last year.
Mike Carp, object of many scouts recent affections due to the Sox outfield glut, homered for the third time this Spring. Camp surprise Bryce Brentz (research his twin brother Jared, an inspirational story), drove in his seventh run of the exhibition season and boasts an batting average of .409. John Lackey did not match Jon Lester‘s and Allen Webster‘s recent results, allowing three runs on four hits. He did not finish the third inning. Other than Britton’s gopher ball, the rest of the bullpen was outstanding only allowing two hits in 4.1 innings.
Despite the result, the thing fans should pay attention to is that Grady Sizemore played on back to back days with no apparent issues today. The results for him have been better than hoped for considering he has been out for two years. Some are predicting a Fenway resurgence for him.
For today, the Sox came up on the losing end. For the long run though, a step in the direction of a healthy, productive Grady Sizemore is the more important result for the Sox.