The Red Sox beat the Reds like a red-headed stepchild in Ft. Myers today. Homer Bailey, who is the Reds' Phil Hughes, gave up 7 hits, 6 runs, 2 walks, and one home run, and is now the proud owner of a 0-2 record and an 8.44 ERA. I suspect he's punching his ticket to Louisville. Yes, it's early yet. But pitching prospects Edinson Volquez ("Voltron") and Johnny Cueto ("Johnny Quest") are really impressing. Doesn't mean Homer won't one day be better than they are, but they're closer to being big-league ready right now.
Andy Phillips had a pretty good day. He was subbed in at 2B and hit a double off Javier Lopez. His line for the day: 1 for 1 with a run scored.
The final score: Red Sox 16, Reds 6.
The Yanks lost to Tampa today. There was no round 2 of the base brawl. Both teams played split squad games today, and Tampa made sure Jonny Gomes didn't play in the Yankees game. Duncan did play, but Tampa was very careful to pitch outside when he came to the plate.
Michael Kay thinks Melky Cabrera and Shelley Duncan might start the season in the minors, so the Yankees won't have to go with a 23 man roster while the two serve their suspensions. (Melky is accused of taking a cheap shot, hitting one of the Rays from behind. He denies it.)
I guess they could stagger the callups so only one was suspended at a time. Kay thinks Brett Gardner might be the opening day CFer. Gardner had a good day, going 2 for 3. He's one of those speedy little guys, and watching him beat the throw to 1B on raw speed and the advantage of starting from the lefty side of the plate reminded me a lot of Bubba.
I hadn't heard about this: Bobby Murcer had a biopsy because doctors were afraid his brain tumor had recurred. Good news, though: it was just scar tissue. There were "no signs of cancer."
The article also mentions that Colter Bean pitched in a Braves spring training game (and ruined a no-hitter in the 9th). I never saw Bean's name on the transaction lists, but he must have signed with Atlanta. However, he's not listed on their roster, or as a non-roster invite. Nor did I see his name on the transaction lists as reassigned to minor league camp. The only thing I can figure is that he was signed to a minor league contract without an invitation to spring training, but was asked to play in a big league spring training game anyway.
I did see Matt DeSalvo's name on the transation lists. The Braves reassigned him to minor league camp.
And Tyler Clippard was optioned to Triple-A by the Nats. I must say, that's a surprise. I thought he would likely get a shot in the big leagues this year with Nats. Or at least last longer than a week in spring training.
