Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff
Former Florida Marlins pitchers Josh Beckett and A.J. Burnett duel tonight as the Red Sox travel north of the border.
Last year Burnett’s name was rumored to be involved with possible trade talks involving Boston and Florida. Some reports were that the Marlins wanted to make him part of a package deal including new Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell. In the off-season he became a free agent acquisition of the Blue Jays.
When asked last night what he could tell his teammates Burnett would bring to the mound tonight, Lowell said, “Heat. He throws hard. I mean he’s a guy who’s going to come after you. When he’s got his stuff it’s going to be tough, but we still a good team. One day of when we didn’t swing the bats too well doesn’t mean we’re not going to swing them well tomorrow. So, we got Josh throwing, hopefully he keeps doing what he’s doing. We should be fine.�
Burnett had an injury that forced him to miss some time, tonight will be his second start of the season. He got the loss in his first start after pitching seven innings, giving up four runs, and striking out five.
Wakefield a Bard-luck loser...
Rookie catcher Josh Bard’s passed ball last night gave him a total of six in four games catching for Tim Wakefield, equaling the number of passed balls Doug Mirabeli had in 33 games catching the knuckler last season.
“Obviously, I‘m very frustrated, very disappointed that I dropped the ball, but I felt like I stuck with my fundamentals you know, so I‘m disappointed.“ Bard said after last night’s game.
Last night’s passed ball led to the Devil Rays second run on a night when the Red Sox only put up one run.
Sox captain Jason Varitek said the passed balls aren’t as big an issue as the lack of hitting from the team when Wakefield’s on the mound. Tuesday night and Wednesday night Boston exploded all over Devil Rays pitching, but somehow Wakefield has ended up with the short end of the stick, getting 5 runs to work in his four starts.
“We haven’t scored runs for Wake, that’s the bigger issue,� Varitek said.
On the Pawtucket shuttle…
Following Wednesday night’s game, the Red Sox optioned Red Sox outfielder Adam Stern to Triple-A Pawtucket and purchased the contract of Willie Harris from Pawtucket.
Harris entered last night’s game as a pinch hitter in the seventh inning and replaced Dustan Mohr in center field. Mohr hit his second homer of the season last night to give the Sox their lone run. Harris also had a single in the ninth inning.
Folks in Pawtucket will get to see Andy Marte pay a visit. The third base prospect, now with the Indians system, was part of the deal that sent Edgar Renteria to Atlanta as well as the deal that brought Coco Crisp to Boston.
PawSox pitchers have been mowing down batters so far this season. Manny Delcarmen and Cla Merideth haven’t let up a run so far this season, and lefty Abe Alvarez has gone 2-0 with a 2.50 ERA.
In Double-A Portland Craig Hansen has yet to give up an earned run in four appearances out of the bullpen.
Feel free to chime in with your thoughts on the state of the Red Sox after the first 16 games.