Monday Links: Back and at ’em

Matt Barnes. Photo by Kelly O’Connor, sittingstill.smugmug.com

The Red Sox continued their spring training schedule on Monday with a meeting against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Newly acquired starter Wade Miley toed the rubber for his first official outing of the spring, and tossed 3 innings while allowing a hit a frame, walking 2 and striking out 2. Miley, who has become a known worm-killer over his 4 years in the majors, managed to pick up 4 ground outs as opposed to 2 flyouts.

For the Cardinals, right-hander Michael Wacha blanked the Sox over 2 innings of work, while collecting 4 punch outs along the way.

Both teams bullpen’s managed to throw goose eggs on the scored board through the first 6 innings of the game. Boston then broke the scoreless tie in the 7th on a double by Luke Montz which scored Travis Shaw from first. Three batters later Mookie Betts grooved a two out run scoring single to center field to score Jemile Weeks. Blake Tekotte later drove home Boston’s third run of the day on a single in the 9th.

Matt Barnes continued to impress early this spring by tossing 2 scoreless frames, allowing just on base runner. The former first round pick racked up 3 strike outs in his time on the mound, and continued to show an impressive mid-90’s fastball and a darting slider.

• Before signing with the Red Sox this past offseason, Pablo Sandoval spent the first 7 years of his professional baseball career in San Fransisco. It was there that the third baseman gained the “Kung-Fu Panda” moniker, was beloved by fans, and won 3 World Series rings. One might thing the memories he made and the success he achieved in San Fransisco would make for a sad goodbye, but surprisingly Sandoval found the decision to be easy. (Leaving San Fransisco was easy call for Pablo Sandoval)

• When Ben Cherington was negotiating a trade for Andrew Miller with the Baltimore Orioles last summer, he knew exactly what he wanted. It was simple, really, either the O’s surrendered left-handed prospect Eduardo Rodriguez or they wouldn’t get the power lefty to solidify their playoff bullpen. Begrudgingly, Balitmore GM Dan Duquette obliged to Cherington’s request and Boston got their man. Now, Rodriguez is ranked as the fifth best prospect in Boston’s system and their second best pitcher behind Henry Owens. (Eduardo Rodriguez: Red Sox’ next ace from Dan Duquette)

• Suffice to say that Xander Bogaerts rookie season wasn’t what we all were anticipating entering the 2014 season. But now, with a full season under his belt, the 22-year old shortstop seems to have used his rough rookie campaign as a learning experience. While the spring schedule is just 6 games in, Bogaerts has already displayed great power and discipline at the plate. (Xander Bogaerts poised for breakout season, and this time we mean it)

• You may have noticed that Jackie Bradley Jr. has been swinging a pretty quick stick right out of the gate this spring. As it turns out, the 24-year old center fielder didn’t need to reinvent himself at the plate, instead Bradley just returned to his roots. The former first round selection cut out unneccesary movements and ditched some habits he had developed over the last year. As a result, Bradley is sporting a quicker, Dustin Pedroia-esq stance. (Jackie Bradley returning to mechanical roots at the plate)

• Tweet of the day: Might be a good idea to avoid Lansdowne this season.