FORT MYERS, Fla. — Earlier than the Crimson Sox signed Ranger Suarez to a five-year, $130 million contract this previous winter, the All-Star lefty turned famend for his skill to squash opposing rallies by drawing key double performs in huge spots.
Tuesday afternoon, Suarez supplied an early glimpse of what the Crimson Sox hope can be many huge moments to return.
Suarez’s double play to finish the highest of the primary was the spotlight of his first begin in a Crimson Sox uniform. The 30-year outdated allowed two runs on three hits with two strikeouts and no walks over 1 2/3 innings within the membership’s eventual 16-7 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Suarez threw 33 pitches, 22 for strikes, and each of his runs got here on a two-run homer by Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin, the No. 1 prospect in MLB.
“I felt good, first of many right here so it felt actually good,” Suarez stated by way of interpreter Carlos Villoria Benítez.
Recognized for his deep arsenal and skill to maintain batters off stability, Suarez labored on all six of his pitches Tuesday. His most used pitch was his four-seam fastball, which he solely threw seven occasions however drew three known as strikes and a whiff. He additionally combined in his changeup, curveball and sinker (six occasions every) and his cutter and slider (4 occasions).
His command, nonetheless, was not absolutely dialed in.
After drawing a leadoff flyout, Suarez gave up a single and hit Spencer Horwitz with a pitch to place two on with one out. At that time he used a curveball to attract the inning-ending double play, which was deftly turned by Caleb Durbin, who fielded the ball down the third bottom line, touched the bag for the pressure out and made a powerful throw to first.
“That’s my aim each time I get any individual on base,” Suarez stated. “I attempt to get comfortable contact and attempt to get a double play.”
Within the second inning, Suarez struck out former Crimson Sox infielder Enmanuel Valdez however allowed a double to Endy Rodriguez. That introduced up Griffin, who crushed a curveball clear over JetBlue Park’s Inexperienced Monster.
“I fell down within the rely and threw a breaking ball in a fastball rely and he was in a position to hit it,” Suarez stated. “I’ve heard excellent issues about him, nice ball participant, he’s an excellent hitter and you’ll see that.”
Suarez completed his outing by putting out former Crimson Sox prospect Jhostynxon Garcia. He is predicted to make yet one more begin for the Crimson Sox on Sunday towards the Baltimore Orioles earlier than he joins Staff Venezuela for the World Baseball Traditional.
Griffin as marketed
Griffin seemed each bit just like the No. 1 prospect on baseball on Tuesday, displaying off his immense expertise by going 2 for 4 with two towering dwelling runs and 4 RBI.
After taking Suarez deep for a 374-foot blast within the prime of the second, the 19-year-old shortstop went yard once more his second time up, hitting an excellent longer 440-foot, two-run dwelling run off right-hander Seth Martinez within the prime of the fourth. That one cleared the deepest a part of the wall in left-center area and was measured at 111.2 mph off the bat.
Crimson Sox supervisor Cora supplied excessive reward for Griffin postgame.
“Bodily, type of like (Gunnar) Henderson,” stated Cora, referring to the Baltimore Orioles’ All-Star shortstop. “He’s an excellent one. That group is in a great spot, they did an incredible job for me within the offseason surrounding that pitching employees with some veteran guys. I wouldn’t be stunned if they’ve a extremely good season.”
Rafaela, Contreras go yard
Tuesday wasn’t a banner day for the Crimson Sox, however Ceddanne Rafaela and Willson Contreras every delivered their first dwelling runs of the spring.
Rafaela (1 for two) hit a solo shot off Pirates righty Thomas Harrington within the backside of the fourth, and after Trevor Story scored on a handed ball within the backside of the fifth, Contreras (1 for 3) cleared the bases with a two-run shot to right-center off Antwone Kelly.
Wilyer Abreu almost went back-to-back with Contreras, however his line drive stayed within the yard and the Crimson Sox outfielder wound up being thrown out at second as a result of he was thought the ball was gone and didn’t run arduous out of the field.
Trevor Story additionally went 2 for 3 with a run scored and Jarren Duran went 0 for 1 with two walks. Boston’s remaining runs got here courtesy of a Mikey Romero double play within the sixth, in addition to an RBI double by Allan Castro and an RBI single by Tsung-Che Cheng within the seventh.
The Pirates scored a minimum of one run in each inning after the primary, together with three within the fourth, 4 within the fifth and three within the ninth. Pittsburgh tallied 21 hits as a group.
Acquainted faces
Tuesday’s lineup introduced loads of acquainted faces again to JetBlue Park, as three former Crimson Sox prospects had been within the Pirates lineup for the sport. Nick Yorke began at third base and went 3 for 4 with a triple and a run scored, Valdez served because the designated hitter and went 0 for 4, and Garcia began in proper area and went 2 for 3 with two runs.
Joe Vogatsky, the minor league right-hander who Boston acquired in change for Valdez, additionally appeared within the recreation. He threw 2/3 of an inning whereas permitting two walks however no hits or runs.
Difficult day
It’s spring coaching for the umpires too, and Andy Fletcher had a tricky day on the workplace. The house plate umpire had three calls overturned by the ABS Problem system inside the first two innings alone, together with one pitch from Pirates starter Carmen Mlodzinski to Trevor Story that went proper down the center however was initially known as a ball.
The 2 groups mixed for six profitable challenges within the recreation general, together with two every by Contreras and by Pirates catcher Endy Rodriguez.
Developing subsequent
Johan Oviedo will take the mound on Wednesday for the Crimson Sox once they make the crosstown journey to play the Minnesota Twins at Hammond Stadium. Garrett Whitlock, Justin Slaten, Tyler Uberstine, Jake Bennett and Tayron Guerrero are all scheduled to take the mound for Boston as properly.
