FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP)—Manny Ramirez’s return to Boston’s lineup was worth the wait for the Red Sox.
Ramirez lined his first pitch of spring training for a single, then added a two-run single and a sacrifice fly that led the Red Sox over the Baltimore Orioles 10-6 Tuesday.
Given permission by Boston to arrive late, Ramirez arrived at spring training on March 1, one day after the mandatory report date. Red Sox players were amused when Ramirez got the first hit, showing no rustiness.
“The whole dugout just starts laughing,” Boston starter Jon Papelbon said. “The man knows how to hit. It’s amazing to see that kind of talent. I’m sure he’ll be able to save some for the season. The home runs will be for the season.”
Ramirez matched his career-high of 45 homers last season, then asked to be traded. The Red Sox said they couldn’t find a deal that satisfied them.
Boston manager Terry Francona was pleased with his exhibition debut.
“It was nice,” Francona said. “First pitch line drive. He ran the bases very well.”
He said Ramirez, the designated hitter Tuesday, wouldn’t make the long trips Wednesday and Thursday—to Jupiter to play Florida and to Vero Beach to play the Los Angeles Dodgers—but would stay behind to practice in the outfield and could play left field Friday against Philadelphia.
Another designated hitter, Kevin Millar, returned to action on a Red Sox field—but he’s with Baltimore now after signing as a free agent following the last three seasons with Boston. He went 1-for-2 with a walk and an RBI double that gave Baltimore a 2-0 lead in the first inning.
“It’s always nice when you get a chance to play against your old teammates for the first time. There are a lot of guys you haven’t seen since last season,” Millar said. “Now I’m a member of the Orioles, but it was great to see those guys, great to give them all hugs.”
He received a loud ovation when he came to the plate.
“The one thing I can always relate with the Red Sox fans is that I gave everything I had every night,” Millar said. “They appreciate the blue-collar-type guy that’s not as talented as everybody but gives his all. It was a nice welcome.”
Ramirez hit a two-run single in the four-run third when Boston took a 5-2 lead. Jay Gibbons hit his first exhibition homer, off Rudy Seanez, cutting the lead to 5-3 in the fourth, but the Red Sox won their second straight game after losing their first three.
They broke open a 6-6 game with three runs in the sixth. Cla Meredith was the winner and Vic Darensbourg the loser.
Red Sox ace Curt Schilling, who pitched three innings Tuesday in an intrasquad game against minor leaguers, is developing the effective technique that former teammate Pedro Martinez is notorious for—pitching inside.
“It makes you better. I’ve watched Pedro do it. I watched RJ (Randy Johnson) do it, and I’ve seen (Roger) Clemens do it,” Schilling said. “It’s a weapon that I’ve never felt that I’ve used to any extent in the past. And I’m going to use it.”
Schilling threw 48 pitches, 35 for strikes, and yielded three hits, while striking out four without a walk and also worked on developing his changeup. He did bean a batter.
“I’m trying to pitch aggressively in now. It’s something I’ve always needed to do,” Schilling said. “I’ve never really been efficient at it and I’m going to change that this year.”
Notes
Boston CF and leadoff hitter Coco Crisp went 3-for-3 for the second time in spring training. He doubled and scored twice. … Gibbons went 2-for-2 with two runs and three RBIs. … Papelbon was hit on the left heel last Thursday by Shannon Stewart’s liner in a loss to the Twins. “There’s just a little bit of bruising,” he said. “`I had no problems with it today.” … SS Brandon Fahey went 3-for-3 for Baltimore. … Baltimore’s Brian Finch allowed five runs and six hits in 1 1-3 innings. … Matt Clement also pitched three innings in the intrasquad game. He threw 32 of his 48 pitches for strikes and allowed two runs, one of them earned, two hits and a walk with five strikeouts.
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