Hansen gets his shot

Craig Hansen was the major benefactor, at least so far, of Julian Tavarez being designated for assignment yesterday. Hansen was supposed to go back to Triple A but was given a chance to work into a role in the Sox bullpen.

With the Sox trailing, 7-3, Hansen entered the game in the seventh and threw a dominating inning of two ground balls and a strikeout. The Red Sox usually just don't throw a young pitcher into the fire but rather build him up for more important assignments. That seems to be the plan for Hansen.