| 01 April 2009
Josh Beckett allowed seven hits and three runs in 3 2/3 innings today in his final spring start before the 2009 season opener. He was pulled with the score notched at 3-3, but the Sox won 4-3 in the 9th.
From Extra Bases:
Just came back from the clubhouse, where Josh Beckett was icing in the wake of today's outing. Beckett said he was hoping for better results against the Pirates, but he seems ready to go for the start of the regular season.
"I'm enthusiastic about it,'' said the typically stoic Beckett. ``I've just got to go out there and have the results that lead to success."
Obviously, one year has made all the difference in the world for Beckett, who was derailed by a back injury at the end of camp last spring. This year? He has made it through the entire spring without the slightest hint of trouble, which could bode well for the start of the regular season.
As smooth a spring as he could expect?
"Absolutely,'' Beckett said. "I've never been in an camp where everybody just took care of themselves like this. ... I was joking with a couple of the other pitchers the other day [that] I felt like I could have run this camp. Our players really came into camp saying we're going to take care of ourselves."
Beckett entered the game with a 2.63 ERA and 13 Ks in 24 spring innings and looks poised to have a stellar "odd year" per his norm. In 2003 he went 9-8 with a 3.04 ERA and won the WS MVP Award as a Marlin. In 2005 he went 15-8 with a 3.37 ERA. In 2007 he won 20 games, earned al All-Star nod and pitched the Red Sox their second World Series.
I have to assume good things for 2009...
Chip Ambres hit two home runs in the game, the second being the tie-breaking, game winning run for the Red Sox... and Rocco Baldelli went 2 for 3 as the DH and seems to finally be clicking at the plate.
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