Wells speeds up after slow start
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- David Wells, who could be the Red Sox' Opening Night starter in New York two weeks from tomorrow, made his second start of the spring yesterday, hurling four innings against a taxi squad of men wearing Florida Marlins uniforms.
Wells was touched for four hits and three runs in the first frame, but settled down over the final three innings. He threw 69 pitches (46 strikes), struck out three, and surrendered a rare walk.
Would he like to pitch the opener if Schilling isn't ready?
"Absolutely," said Wells. "Who wouldn't want to pitch Opening Day in Yankee Stadium? Tension is going to be high. The crowd will be unbelievable. It's what I'm here for, those type of games. I love it. If you don't want to pitch in those type of games, you don't want to play baseball."
Yesterday's Marlins lineup had a lot of guys wearing numbers of offensive linemen (70, 66, and 53 all started) because most of the Marlins were home in Jupiter for a regularly scheduled spring game against the Cardinals. Luis Castillo and Juan Encarnacion were the only two Marlins regulars to make the three-hour trip. "I had a bad bullpen," said Wells. "Then I came in and they got a couple of bloop hits. It's frustrating. At the beginning, I was lunging and not staying back, but then I settled down. I could have gone a couple of more innings. I will be on track. A couple of more outings and I'll feel like I can go nine."
"I thought it was a battle for him to get the ball down at the beginning," said manager Terry Francona. "But he had good velocity and his arm looks good and strong."
Four pitchers followed Wells to the mound and kept the Marlins off the scoreboard over the final five innings of Boston's 5-3 victory.
Curt Schilling, who was not required to be at City of Palms Park yesterday, is expected to throw in an abbreviated side session today and is slated to pitch two innings in a minor league game at the Sox training complex Monday when the regular squad is in Vero Beach to play the Dodgers. Jason Varitek will stay in Fort Myers to catch Schilling.
Francona has given up on the idea of Schilling pitching the opener against the Yanks.
"It's just not going to happen," he said.
Would Wells get the nod if Schilling isn't ready?
"We have not done that yet," said Francona. "We're not ready to do that."
"It depends on Curt," said Wells.
Easy being green
The green bases were back, along with green caps and jerseys for the Red Sox. Thursday's game was rained out and the Sox didn't want all the good green stuff to go to waste . . . Jay Payton homered to center in the second inning, his first of the spring. "He's swinging the bat really well and I think he can be a really good weapon for us," said Francona . . . Bill Mueller had one hit in two at-bats and left after three innings. He was replaced by Kevin Youkilis . . Kelly Shoppach, recovering from a foot injury, was behind the plate for the first time this spring (excluding college exhibitions) . . . Hanley Ramirez went 2 for 2 with an RBI double in the Sox' three-run seventh. Shoppach and Ramirez were both optioned after the game, Ramirez to Double A Portland, Shoppach to Triple A Pawtucket. Pitchers Denney Tomori and Kris Wilson and infielders Dave Berg and Simon Pond were reassigned to the minor league camp . . . There was a moment of silence before the game for the late Dick Radatz . . . Trot Nixon is still sick and Johnny Damon won't play for a few more days while he recovers from cellulitis. Edgar Renteria, David Ortiz, Doug Mirabelli, and Adam Hyzdu were given yesterday off, but Francona was happy with the turnout of volunteers for a rescheduled game played on a scheduled day off. "I take some heat for being too easy on these guys," said the manager. "Well, on a day like this, maybe it looks like it works the way we do things. We had a lot of guys here early, doing things they were not required to do." . . . Matt Clement starts at City of Palms against the Orioles this afternoon. Lefthander John Halama will start tomorrow against the Pirates at Bradenton . . . Old friend Derek Lowe will be the Dodgers' starting pitcher when the Sox travel to Vero Beach to play Frank McCourt's team Monday . . . Fifteen days until Opening Day.
