The Boston Red Sox walked over the Northeastern Huskies in their exhibition opener Thursday at JetBlue Park. But the process to officially bring J.D. Martinez on board to the big league roster hasn’t exactly been a walk in the park.
The $110 million slugger had his physical on Wednesday at JetBlue Park and the team was hopeful to officially introduce him following the two college exhibition games Thursday in Fort Myers. But early on in the second game against Boston College, the team announced that it was still doing its due diligence on the results of the physical and wasn’t ready to formally introduce him.
Barring any further delays, that press conference is now expected sometime Friday in Florida.
Meanwhile, on the field, the Red Sox made it 16-0 lifetime against the Northeastern Huskies with a 15-2 win in seven innings. For a full box score, click here.
In the second game, Boston College gave the Red Sox a more stern test, eventually falling 4-2. For a full box score, click here. Chandler Shepherd started and threw a pair of scoreless innings for the win.
The first official Grapefruit League game is Friday at 1:05 p.m. as the Red Sox take on the Minnesota Twins in the first of three straight home games at JetBlue Park to open the 2018 spring season. With a compressed spring schedule, Alex Cora is trying to get a look at younger faces early on. One of the those is Hector Velazquez, who will start against the Twins.
They play Tampa Bay and Baltimore on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. Lefties Roenis Elias and Brian Johnson will start those games for Boston.
Boston’s first five batters reached base via base on balls against Huskies right-handed starter Henry Ennen. The Red Sox scored seven times in the first, three in the second and then five more in the third to finish out the scoring.
The highlight of the game came in the third inning as Kyri Washington drilled a grand slam over the JetBlue Monster, staking the Red Sox to a 15-2 lead.
? Grand Slam Alert ?
First one of #SoxSpring brought to you by @Kyri_21! pic.twitter.com/mVtdTjZxbA
— Red Sox (@RedSox) February 22, 2018
Red Sox starter Jalen Beeks threw two scoreless innings, allowing one hit and walk while striking out three to record the win.
Northeastern star shortstop Max Burt got the Huskies on the board with a double down the right field line that scored Cam Walsh for the first run. The Huskies scored again when Charlie McConnell scored on a wild pitch.
The second game started off in similar fashion, with the first two Red Sox batters working walks in the bottom of the first. Both walks would produce runs as Sam Travis doubled home Rusney Castillo while Esteban Quiroz grounded out, scoring Sandy Leon for a 2-0 Boston lead. The Red Sox made it 4-0 in the when Quiroz and Tsu-Wei Lin scored on a ground out by Oscar Hernandez.
The Eagles scored twice in the seventh when Jake Goodreau grounded out to score Reyce Curnane and Scott Braren stole home. With the bases loaded and just one out, the Eagles had a chance to tie or take the lead but Kevin McAvoy struck out the final two batters to preserve the win.
The Red Sox are now 27-0 against Boston College in exhibition play and have won all 43 college exhibitions dating to 1916.
