FORT MYERS, Fla. — Johan Oviedo’s first outing of the spring final week didn’t go nice, because the right-hander walked three over 1 2/3 innings in a efficiency supervisor Alex Cora described as “erratic.”
His second outing on Monday went a lot better.
Oviedo was dominant in Monday’s 7-6 win over the Toronto Blue Jays in Dunedin, putting out 4 over three scoreless innings whereas holding Toronto to 2 hits and no walks. He was additionally extremely environment friendly, throwing 25 of his 31 pitches for strikes whereas drawing 5 whiffs.
After permitting a leadoff single to George Springer out of the gate, Oviedo bought a strikeout and a double play to shortly get out of the primary. He adopted that by pitching round a innocent one-out single within the second earlier than sending the Blue Jays down 1-2-3 to complete his outing within the third.
Considered because the seemingly high candidate to earn Boston’s No. 5 rotation spot heading into camp, Oviedo clearly helped out his trigger with the sensible exhibiting. He might be in line to make his subsequent begin on Saturday.
Gonzales smokes one
Justin Gonzales, a hulking 6-foot-7 outfielder and Boston’s No. 6 prospect in accordance with MLB Pipeline’s newest rankings, made the journey as much as Dunedin with the massive league membership and confirmed off his energy in breathtaking vogue.
Within the high of the ninth inning the 19-year-old scorched a single that was measured at 117.3 mph off the bat. In response to MLB researcher Sarah Langs’ Each day Statcast leaders, that’s the second hardest exit velocity recorded by any participant to this point this spring. The one ball hit tougher was Kansas Metropolis Royals’ slugger Jac Caglianone’s 120.2 mph double on Feb. 26.
Franklin Arias, a 20-year-old infielder and Boston’s consensus No. 2 prospect, additionally made the journey and bought the beginning at shortstop. He went 0 for 3 with two strikeouts on the plate however helped flip a double play to finish the underside of the primary.
Massive day for Gasper
Monday’s lineup consisted largely of gamers who’re more likely to begin the season within the minor leagues, however even with that being the case, Mickey Gasper made a powerful impression.
The Purple Sox catcher and utility participant led the offense by going 2 for 3 with a house run and three RBI. Gasper had an RBI single within the high of the third and adopted that by crushing a two-run dwelling run with two outs within the high of the fifth.
Nathan Hickey (1 for two) additionally had a two-run dwelling run to place the Purple Sox forward for good within the high of the eighth, Allan Castro (2 for 3, stolen base) hit a game-tying solo shot within the sixth, Max Ferguson (1 for two, stroll) had an RBI double and Braiden Ward went 2 for 3 with a stolen base.
Watson struggles
Ryan Watson, a Rule 5 choose trying to make the Purple Sox roster as a rookie, had a troublesome outing on Monday. The best-hander allowed 4 runs over 2/3 of an inning on one hit, two walks and successful by pitch.
Watson led off the inning with a lineout earlier than permitting a single, hit by pitch and a stroll to load the bases. He then drew a run-scoring groundout earlier than strolling one other batter to reload the bases. At that time supervisor Alex Cora lifted the rookie and all three inherited runners got here round to attain when minor leaguer Patrick Halligan allowed a grand slam to Blue Jays third baseman Addison Barger.
Developing subsequent
The Purple Sox will host Crew Puerto Rico in an exhibition at JetBlue Park on Tuesday evening forward of the World Baseball Basic. Left-hander Jake Bennett will get the beginning for the Purple Sox, and Zack Kelly, Tyler Uberstine, Tyler Samaniego and Vinny Nittoli are all scheduled to pitch for Boston too. First pitch is scheduled for six:05 p.m. and the sport might be broadcast on NESN+, NESN 360 and WEEI 93.7 FM.
