Spring Training Game Thread

[consigliere]

The game is on WTAM right now....2-0 Astros in the top of the 4th. Clearly not our A lineup:

1. Vazquez SS
2. Belliard 2B
3. Hollandsworth LF
4. Martinez C
5. Eduardo Perez 1B
6. Casey Blake RF
7. Jason Dubois DH
8. Andy Marte 3B
9. Franklin Gutierrez CF

After the game, Victor, Belly, Cabrera, Betancourt and Perez will join their teams in the WBC.

With no Victor and Belly, it will provide a GREAT opportunity the next 2 weeks for guys like BP, Vazquez, Merloni, Shoppach, Diaz and Laker who are all battling for the backup INF and backup C jobs.

Also, no Betancourt and Cabrera will give guys like Graves, Karsay, Davis, Brown, Stanford, Guthrie, etc battling for the 7th bully spot more work.

[consigliere]

If anyone cares....some updates on the game:

Tribe with 5 so far in the 5th. Vazquez with a one out bases loaded single plates two....then two pitches later Belliard hits a bomb to left for a 3-run HR.

Gutierrez showing some nice patience with 2 walks on the day....also hustled from 1st to 3rd on the Vazquez 2-run single.

[bostondog]

...but I do watch the preseason scores. Looks like the Tribe is cruising in the 8th 5-2 according to ESPN.com.

[Lebowski]

I caught the last couple of innings on the radio.

Brown and Sipp pitched very well. Looks like we have some serious depth in the pen, and if anyone on the roster struggles or gets injured, the guys at AAA will be nice replacements.

I heard Marte hit a double...true?

[consigliere]

Yes, Marte hit a rocket for a 2B down the LF line. Made a fantastic defensive play in the 2nd as well.

The bullpen of the future was impressive in their first outing.....Sipp, Cabrera, Brown, Mujica, Tadano, etc all combined to give up 1 hit and I believe 10 Ks.

[swerb]

Yes, Marte hit a rocket for a 2B down the LF line. Made a fantastic defensive play in the 2nd as well.

The bullpen of the future was impressive in their first outing.....Sipp, Cabrera, Brown, Mujica, Tadano, etc all combined to give up 1 hit and I believe 10 Ks.

Wow ... that is nice to hear on March 2nd.

[consigliere]

Sabathia got knocked around today....7 runs (5 earned). But, from reports, he was working almost exclusively on his fastball to stretch his arm out. In any case, I can care less how the guys with positions locked up perform, I just want health. Performing well is always a good thing though.

Peralta and Mulhern with bombs. Phillips with a decent game. The battle between him and Vazquez could go down to the final day. I am still hoping we hold onto Phillips for one more shot at the bigs, I still think he can be serviceable and maybe resurrect his career. With the org hurting so much at SS/2B, we can't afford to give up on BP until we absolutely have to.

[consigliere]

Marte with a 2-run bomb in his first AB today.

[Lebowski]

Boone better be on an insanely short leash.

Andy is really raking in ST so far.

[consigliere]

Marte with a SAC fly for another RBI in his 2nd AB

[Lebowski]

Marte's day:

4-4, HR, 3 RBIs.