Red Sox Notebook: Hits (and homers) keep coming; Sawamura throws first bullpen

It's pretty clear that, in the early days of the Grapefruit League schedule, Red Sox hitters are ahead of the opposing pitchers.

Way ahead.

A day after they teed off for four homers and nine runs on Tuesday, the Red Sox erupted for 15 hits in a 14-6 rout of the Minnesota Twins. The Sox got two homers from Bobby Dalbec and scored eight times in the fourth inning.

In four games to date, they've smashed nine homers (entering Wednesday, no other team had more than five) and have scored 32 runs.

"We have a good offensive team,'' Alex Cora said. "We believe that we're going to score runs this year. I'm excited about that. Last year, if I'm not mistaken, the Red Sox led the league in batting average. We will score runs. We have a good offense and that was cool to see today.''

Of Dalbec, who now has three homers in the spring, Cora said: "It was fun to watch on TV (last year); it's a lot better to watch in person. His work ethic is amazing. I'm happy for him. The work he puts in (with the hitting coaches) is relentless. When he makes contact, good things are going to happen. He's smart enough and he understands that.''

Kiké Hernández, who is auditioning for the leadoff spot, was 2-for-2 with two doubles and two RBI.

"He controls the strike zone,'' said Cora. "I've been telling him, if gets a good pitch early in the count, go ahead.  I do believe that there's more there (offensively). I believe he can hit lefties and righties. He's not a swing-and-miss guy. Right now, he's good. I challenged him to do the job (at the top of the lineup) and push me to make a decision.''

J.D. Martinez (two hits, two RBI) and Hunter Renfroe (base- loaded double) also stood out.

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Hirokazu Sawamura threw his first bullpen after arriving in Fort Myers over the weekend.

https://twitter.com/RedSox/status/1367158830212280329?s=20

That's a good first step,'' said Cora. "Now we'll see what's next.''

"The climate here and in Japan is different,'' said Sawamura though an interpreter, "with the wetness and humidity. (And) I'll have to make some adjustments in terms of handling the Major League baseball.''

Sawamura is excited about making his first appearance in a game, but knows it's likely he'll have to make some adjustments to succeed here.

"I've got to see how effectively I can use the strike zone,'' he said. "I'm the type of guy who kind of pitches in the high strike zone and the lower part. I don't use the corner work. It's more like vertical movement. If I can make those adjustments, I should be able to adjust to Major League hitters."

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Bryan Mata has felt some soreness in the back of his triceps and will undergo an MRI Thursday morning.... Jeisson Rosario suffered a pulled hamstring chasing down a ball in the outfield and will be out for a few days...Cora opened his postgame remarks by offering best wishes for New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone, who is set to have a pacemaker implanted in the next few days. Cora and Boone were teammates at ESPN before beginning their managerial careers. "He's one of my best friends in baseball,'' said Cora. "Looking forward to seeing him in New York...Franchy Cordero went through his COVD intake Tuesday and could be cleared to work out Thursday.