Red Sox Notebook: Another Day, Another Win

The Red Sox still haven’t lost in more than four months.

The Sox scored twice apiece in the sixth and eighth innings to storm back and edge the Twins, 7-6, in Grapefruit League action Saturday at Hammond Stadium in Ft. Myers. The Sox have won all four of their exhibition games, though the doubleheader against Boston College and Northeastern Thursday does not count in the standings.

In the eighth inning, the Sox capped their comeback with a solo homer by Dusty Brown and an RBI single by Brandon Moss. Brown, Moss and non-roster invitee Joe Thurston all had two hits each while Alex Cora had two RBI.

Jon Lester struggled in his spring debut as he allowed five runs—four earned—on two hits and four walks in one-plus innings. Lester was lifted after facing and failing to retire four batters in the second, but he was spared the defeat by the late comeback. David Pauley earned the win with two innings of scoreless relief while Jon Switzer notched the save by striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.

The Sox and Twins continue the Mayor’s Cup Sunday, when the two teams conclude their weekend series at City of Palms Park. Tim Wakefield is scheduled to start for the Sox against Livan Hernandez at 1:05 p.m.


Papelbon Being Papelbon: If you thought you saw Manny Ramirez pitching for the Sox Saturday, you weren’t completely crazy. Closer Jonathan Papelbon made his spring debut sporting one of Ramirez’ spare no. 24 jerseys because he forgot his jersey at City of Palms Park.

When Papelbon realized his mistake, his only choices were either to borrow Ramirez’ jersey or don no. 99. And while sporting the number made famous by “Wild Things” real and fictional might be an appropriate choice for a volatile closer who once entered to that very song, Papelbon decided to go with his teammate’s duds.

“I could feel the dreadlocks flowing,” Papelbon told reporters. “I just forgot my jersey and sure enough, they seem to always have an extra Manny jersey laying around here due to the circumstances. It looked better than 99.”


Don’t You (Forget About Me): OK, so Kyle Snyder was only seven years old when Simple Minds topped the charts in 1985 with the theme to [i]The Breakfast Club/[/i] But it’s an appropriate summation of his attitude this spring as he attempts to win the fifth spot in the rotation.

Top prospect Clay Buchholz seems to be the heavy favorite to occupy the spot, but Snyder hopes to change the Sox’ minds. “I still consider myself battling for a position and that mindset helps me prepare for what I need to do,” Snyder told the Boston Herald in a story that appeared in Saturday’s editions. “My mindset is such that right from the beginning of the year, that’s what I need to do—compete.”

Though Snyder experienced some success as the Sox’ long reliever last year—he was 2-3 with a 3.81 ERA in 46 games—he spent most of his minor league career as a starter and still believes he has the arsenal to be an asset in the rotation. “I’m not your typical bullpen guy who throws a power sinker or slider,” Snyder said. “I’m a five-pitch guy, and if I’m able to get stretched out, I should be able to repeat my delivery more.”

Snyder will make his spring debut Monday, when he faces the Marlins in Jupiter, FL.