Live From Spring Training ’10: Red Sox Vs. Astros

On a perfect day for baseball, the Boston Red Sox and Houston Astros showcased their ace pitchers before a capacity crowd in Kissimmee.  Roy Oswalt and Jon Lester each worked the first four innings with Oswalt departing with a 1-0 lead for the win.  Oswalt focused on locating his fastball while Lester mixed in more off speed and breaking pitches.  It was a 55 foot curve ball that cost Lester the run as Carlos Lee raced in from third base when Jason Varitek was unable to corral the pitch.

Five Astro relievers each pitched a scoreless inning with Wesley Wright gaining the save by pitching the 9th inning in the 3-0 win.  There was much less substitution than in a typical spring training game since the Astros had a split squad with the other squad playing a night game against the Yankees in Tampa.  The game was played in 2 hours and five minutes.

The Astros scratched out their second run in the 6th inning without hitting a ball out of the infield.  Kaz Matsui put down a perfect bunt and alertly took third when the Red Sox watched a bunt by J.R. Towles down the third base that stayed fair.  Matsui scored when Carlos Lee hit into a double play. The final run scored on consecutive doubles by minor leaguers, Matt Kata and Brian Esposito, in the 8th inning.

An interesting sidelight was Astro Chris Johnson playing third base, visiting with his father, Ron Johnson, between innings, who was coaching third base for the Red Sox a few feet away.

A SABR member since 1984, Bill has written articles for The National Pastime, The Baseball Research Journal and other publications and web sites.  For the past 16 years, he has worked for Tal Smith Enterprises on salary arbitration and has attended many arbitration hearings.