FORT MYERS, Fla. — Every season a minor leaguer rises from obscurity to emerge as one of many heroes of spring coaching, and Tuesday infielder Nick Sogard took a step in direction of staking his declare.
Sogard, a 26-year-old utility participant who performed all of final season in Triple-A, hit his second house run of the spring and drove in all three runs within the Red Sox eventual 3-2 win over the St. Louis Cardinals. He hit the go-ahead two-run homer to place Boston up within the prime of the sixth, adopted that with a sacrifice fly his subsequent time up within the prime of the seventh, and wrapped up his day with a double to complete 2 for two with three RBI.
Sogard additionally hit a two-run shot in Monday’s 7-6 win over the Phillies, and in just some days he’s already demonstrated extra energy than he’d ever displayed within the minors. Last season he hit seven house runs in 112 video games with the Worcester Red Sox, and general his profession excessive is 13 in 2021 with High-A Greenville.
Pablo Reyes, who obtained the beginning at second and has performed all around the diamond to this point this spring, additionally had an enormous day on the plate, going 2 for two to enhance his common to .600 on the spring. Ceddanne Rafaela went 1 for two with a strikeout and a stolen base, although he was additionally picked off at second to finish the highest of the primary inning, and Bobby Dalbec went 1 for 3.
Crawford robust in debut
So far all of Boston’s starters have carried out properly of their first spring outings, and Kutter Crawford was no exception on Tuesday. The 27-year-old allowed one run over two innings, giving up three hits and no walks whereas putting out one. He threw 32 pitches and the lone run got here courtesy of an RBI double by Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras.
Tuesday additionally marked the spring debut of recent Cardinals ace Sonny Gray, who threw two scoreless innings whereas permitting two hits and two walks with two strikeouts.
Slaten impresses
Acquired in a commerce instantly following his choice within the Rule 5 Draft, Justin Slaten was heralded for his overpowering stuff and skill to rack up strikeouts within the minor leagues. So far the 26-year-old right-hander has acquitted himself properly with the large league membership, and on Tuesday he posted his second straight scoreless outing, this time putting out two with no hits or walks allowed.
Slaten’s fastball averaged 95.3 mph and maxed out at 96.2, and of the 14 pitches he threw Slaten obtained both a whiff or a known as strike on seven of them.
Left-hander Brandon Walter additionally had a pleasant displaying with two scoreless innings and two strikeouts, righty Isaiah Campbell labored round a stroll and successful to publish a scoreless sixth and righty Justin Hagenman pitched an ideal seventh. Lefty Helcris Olivarez had a rocky eighth, permitting one run on two hits whereas hitting a batter and committing a disengagement violation, however obtained a double play to flee the jam with out additional incident.
Song struggles
Few baseball gamers have ever adopted a journey like Noah Song. Once seen as a possible first-round expertise, Song wound up spending 4 years away from the sport to meet his U.S. Naval obligations. He acquired a waiver that allowed him to return to the sphere final 12 months, and after an ill-fated try by Philadelphia to take him within the Rule 5 Draft and shotgun him straight to the majors, he’s now again with the Red Sox making an attempt to develop at a extra applicable tempo.
Still, there can be rising pains, as grew to become evident within the ninth inning Tuesday.
Though Song touched 94 mph on the radar gun, a big enchancment from the place he sat final 12 months, his command was in all places. He walked three batters within the backside of the ninth, together with one with the bases loaded to tie the sport, whereas additionally permitting a single and throwing a wild pitch earlier than he was pulled with two outs. Minor leaguer Garrett Ramsey obtained the ultimate out to salvage the 3-3 draw.
Song is undeniably gifted, however he nonetheless has a protracted strategy to go.
Next up
The Red Sox will play the second recreation of their two-day highway journey Wednesday towards the Washington Nationals. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m.
Source: www.bostonherald.com