Grady Sizemore Homers In 4-2 Red Sox Win Over Rays
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (AP) Grady Sizemore bolstered his bid to become Boston's new starting center fielder, hitting a two-run homer as the Red Sox defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 4-2 on Tuesday.
Sizemore signed a one-year, $750,000 contract loaded with incentives during the offseason. Despite injuries that have kept him from playing in the majors since Sept. 22, 2011, Sizemore has had an excellent spring, batting .303 in 33 at-bats and scoring five runs.
"Honestly, I'm just looking at the next day and not looking too far ahead - you can't get too far ahead," the 31-year-old Sizemore said.
"I'm happy with how everything has gone ... and didn't expect to feel this good or comfortable so soon. I'm happy with that aspect," the three-time All-Star with Cleveland said.
"We're all perfectionists, so I want to play better each day like everyone else," he said.
Sizemore is competing for the starter role with top prospect Jackie Bradley, Jr., who has struggled this spring, batting just .173 with five RBIs and 16 strikeouts. Bradley was 0 for 4 Tuesday batting ninth and playing right field.
Red Sox manager John Farrell said he expects to take the rest of the week to have internal discussions and make the call between Bradley and Sizemore. Farrell adds that the team is unlikely to carry both Sizemore and Bradley.
"There's still a lot of discussion on who our starting center fielder will be," Farrell said. "We're looking at these next three days as a physical test. Grady has responded to the plan we put forth, but we still have much to discuss."
Bradley, a 23-year-old rookie, was considered the front-runner entering camp. But Sizemore, who hasn't played in more than 100 games since 2009, has had an excellent camp and put him ahead despite durability questions.
Sizemore's workload has increased in the past week, with the Red Sox having him play in five of their last six games.
"Everything's been positive that I've done so far - body's felt good, just keep building off that and put consecutive days together," Sizemore said. "Still need to swing at good balls because I'm going out of the zone still, but I do feel like I can start the regular season."
Will Middlebrooks also hit a solo homer as the defending World Series champions won for just the ninth time in 24 games this spring.
Wil Myers and Jose Molina both drove in runs for the Rays, who are still a Grapefruit League best 15-6-3.
Rays: In his first outing since being chosen the team's fifth starting pitcher, Jake Odorizzi gave up three earned runs on four hits, including a home run, walked two and struck out five over five-plus innings. He threw 92 pitches, 58 for strikes.
Red Sox: Clay Buchholz gave up two runs in six innings, allowing three hits, two walks and striking out five over 84 pitches.
"It was good up until the sixth inning," he said. "I'm comfortable with the pitches because there's more movement on them, especially the two-seamer. You've got to let the ball work for you."
Tampa Bay released veteran pitcher Erik Bedard, just days after he lost out in a three-way competition for the Rays' fifth starter spot with Odorizzi and Cesar Ramos. Tampa Bay will use Ramos for long relief.
Bedard had a 6.88 ERA over 17 innings with 13 strikeouts and two walks this spring. He had an opt-out clause in his minor league deal, and can now sign with any team.
"That does not preclude the potential for him to come back to us at some point," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "I would like to believe that if it doesn't work out, based on our relationship that we built, that he would want to come back to us, because we would really like to have him back."
"I'm hoping he gets another job on the major league level, but if not, that he would come back to us would be great," he said.
Rays: Maddon announced outfielder Brandon Guyer made the opening day roster. The bullpen has not been finalized, with Josh Lueke and Brandon Gomes still in the mix. Prior to the game, Maddon told pitcher Mark Lowe and infielders Jayson Nix and Wilson Betemit they did not make the team.
After Cincinnati closer Aroldis Chapman was hit in the face by a line drive and Tampa Bay righty Alex Cobb spoke about the lack of progress in protective headgear hats for pitchers, the company developing the product had a rep at Rays camp.
Cobb missed two months last season after being struck in the side of the head with a liner in a game at Tropicana Field. He talked Tuesday to a representative for 4Licensing Corporation, the parent company of isoBLOX, which has developed the padding that is sewn into rim of the caps.
Cobb and Maddon called the prototype "awkward" while Cobb said the hat is still too big, heavy and hot.
"I like where the company is going out and getting the feedback from our opinions," Cobb said. "That's their big interest, but it's still not practical by any means. And I haven't even thrown with it on because it's just not where it needs to be. It's going in the right direction, though."
Rays: The swelling around the cut pitcher Matt Moore sustained to his lower lip after being hit with a line drive Sunday has gone down significantly and the lefty isn't expected to miss his upcoming start. The injury required four or five stitches.
"I feel fortunate to come away with only that," Moore said. "It wakes you a bit when one gets you up top."
Red Sox: Outfielder Shane Victorino was held out as a precaution due to soreness in his side, but is expected to play Wednesday. Farrell said Victorino may play in more minor league games in end the spring, just in case a DL stint is needed.
Craig Breslow will pitch in a minor league game Thursday and after that, Farrell believes the team will have a better assessment on where he will start the season. Breslow threw 18 pitches Monday vs. Class A Baltimore players. His start to the season was delayed after last year's heavy workload.
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