FORT MYERS, Fla. --
WHO: Red Sox vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
WHEN: 1:05 p.m.
WHERE: jetBlue Park
TV/RADIO: WEEI 850 AM
STARTING PITCHERS: RHP Hector Velazquez vs. RHP Chad Kuhl
OTHER PITCHERS SCHEDULED: RHP Joe Kelly, RHP Matt Barnes, RHP Carson Smith, LHP Robby Scott, LHP Brian Johnson
THURSDAY'S PITCHERS: RHP Rick Porcello, RHP Fernando Rodriguez Jr., LHP Bobby Poyner
BOX SCORE: MLB.com
IN-GAME OBSERVATIONS:
- Some sloppy defensive play by the Red Sox in the early going. In the first inning, Jeremy Barfield mishandled a ball hit by Gregory Polanco in right, allowing for an extra base to be taken. Then, in the top of the third, third baseman Ivan De Jesus Jr. came in on a slow roller hit by Sean Rodriguez, and threw wildly past third, enabling the Pirates' Kevin Newman to score from second for the first run of the game.
- Rough outing for Hector Velazquez, who allowed three runs on five hits and was lifted with one out in the third. Velazquez wasn't helped by some defensive lapses behind him, but also gave up some hard-hit balls on elevated fastballs. For veterans, a rough outing in spring doesn't mean much, but for someone like Velazquez, battling for that (temporary) fifth starter spot, a poor showing can be harmful to his chances of making the team.
- Xander Bogaerts fell behind 0-and-2 in his third inning at-bat, but still connected for a hard-hit, run-scoring double to left-center, plating the Red Sox' first run. Last year, Bogaerts hit just .235 with two strikes.
- The Sox pulled within a run with a bases-loaded sacrifice fly from infielder Chad De La Guerra in the fourth inning.
LINEUPS
RED SOX
PIRATES
NEWS AND NOTES:
- As part of an effort to take advantage of his versatility, the Red Sox will have Blake Swihart play five or so innings at first base Wednesday. "He's been out there, working on his footwork and all that stuff, so he'll be OK,'' said Alex Cora. "We feel safe that he can play (the position). It's a good opportunity to see if he can move around and see if he can handle it. He's one of the best athletes out there. We're taking baby steps with him. He'll go to first today, then we can put him in the outfield and keep moving him around.'' Swihart will eventually see some time at third and left field, along with his catching duties.
- Craig Kimbrel has returned to Boston to be with his wife and infant daughter. His daughter, who was born with a heart defect, is set to undergo another surgical procedure this week. Kimbrel's return date is unknown at this point, but the team has told him to take as much time as he needs.
- Chris Sale will make a start in a minor league game Sunday while David Price is scheduled to throw a bullpen Wednesday.
- Cora plans to bring many of his regulars for a cross-state trip to West Palm Beach Thursday against the world champion Houston Astros. "I think taking most of those guys, and bring in front of (the Astros), will be good for them,'' said Cora. "Just a reminder - 'Remember what they did to you (beating the Sox in the ALDS last October).' I know spring training is not about sending messages, but for them to go over there is always cool. It's a reminder that we still have a ways to go. For some reason, March 1 is when everything starts flowing and it just happens to be the Houston Astros. So that's a good message for that group.''
- Cora went out of his way to mention Tzu-Wei Lin's defensive versatility and ability as one of the brightest developments early in the spring. He's played short, third and center so far.