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The Return To Form
March 11, 2009
3.11.
09, 10:39 AM
The Return To Form
Lowell Returns, Buchholz Looking Great
By: Jared Carrabis
The entire Red Sox organization has been quite busy in the past few weeks.
Whether it be the Sox players playing in games all over the world or members of the front office scattering to secure contracts for those players, the Red Sox organization has remained as a heavy presence in the sports section of the local papers.
On Tuesday night in San Juan, Puerto Rico, David Ortiz and the rest of the Dominican baseball team fell to the Netherlands for the second time in as many meetings. As if the first loss wasn't a big enough upset, Tuesday night's loss eliminated the Dominican Republic superstars from tournament play, the very same team that placed third in the inaugural World Baseball Classic.
Ortiz, who started at first base, went 1-for-4 in the 11 inning, 2-1 loss, which ended on a defensive miscue by the Rays'
Willy Aybar at first base.
If the Dominicans were to pull out the win in extras, Ortiz likely would have seen his last start at first base due to shoulder soreness. The left-hander told reporters on Monday that he likely would not play any more first base in the World Baseball Classic because it hurt when he threw, however, since he started on Tuesday, he was probably told that if he didn't start at first that he wouldn't play at all. Ortiz playing at first allowed both Hanley Ramirez and Jose Reyes to be inserted into the same lineup at the shortstop and designated hitter positions.
"He’ll be okay," manager Terry Francona said. "It doesn’t affect his hitting. If it were a real problem, believe me, I’d know about it.
"
Back home in the United States, the Red Sox put on an offensive show on Monday that the Dominicans could have used on Tuesday night. Josh Bard had himself a great showing at the plate on Monday going 2-for-3 with a big three-run home run. Also homering for the Sox were three players not likely to start the season at the big league level in Nick Green, Brad Wilkerson and Dusty Brown.
For Wilkerson, it was his second home run of the spring, to go along with his 6 RBI, but his .167 average and 11 strikeouts have made his spring look less than stellar. However, there is good news to report from Sox camp down in Fort Myers.
Mike Lowell returned to action on Tuesday in a 5-1 loss to the Baltimore Orioles. The Sox third baseman made his Spring Training debut as the team's designated hitter by going 1-for-3 with a single into left field. Lowell will return to his natural position of third base this Friday against the New York Yankees. Following his 1-for-3 performance, Lowell set a goal for himself for the upcoming 2009 season.
"I'd like to play a full load. I'd like to play, if I can, 150 games. That's normal. I don't think that's an unrealistic goal," Lowell said. The Sox single season record holder for RBI by a third baseman played in 113 games in 2008, his fewest since his 1999 rookie season with the Florida Marlins. If Lowell can return from the surgery that repaired a torn labrum in his hip by playing 150 games, Red Sox Nation will certainly be all smiles.
When I hear the phrase "return to form", the first player that comes to mind is not Mike Lowell, it's Clay Buchholz. As one of the top prospects in the Red Sox organization for the past few years, Buchholz introduced himself to Red Sox Nation in his second Major League start by hurling a no-hitter against the Baltimore Orioles in September of 2007. In 2008, the only thing Buchholz was hurling was his confidence over a cliff.
After extensive workouts and training over the winter, Buchholz is back with a vengeance. The right-hander is tied for third in most innings pitched so far this spring with five. In his five innings of work, Buchholz has only given up one hit to compliment his 0.00 ERA and three strikeouts.
On Tuesday, Buchholz worked three innings against the Baltimore Orioles facing nine batters, while retiring all nine in order. While his two outings for the Red Sox so far this spring have been flawless, Buchholz is still only second in line to take the fifth starter job if Brad Penny is unable to start the season at full health. That slot will go to Justin Masterson who leads the Red Sox with seven innings pitched and also has a 0.00 ERA to go along with four strikeouts.
On my final note, the Red Sox have re-signed nineteen players to one-year contracts. According to Boston. com, "Michael Bowden, Clay Buchholz, Manny Delcarmen, Felix Doubront, Miguel Gonzalez, Devern Hansack, Hunter Jones, Wes Littleton, Justin Masterson and Ramon Ramirez; catchers Dusty Brown, George Kottaras and Mark Wagner; infielders Chris Carter, Argenis Diaz, and Jed Lowrie; and outfielders Jacoby Ellsbury and Jonathan Van Every" have all agreed to one-year contracts.
Go USA,
-Jared Carrabis
-Jared Carrabis
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