Daniel Bard's sucks again as Sox lose
By Gregor Chisholm / MLB.com Box Score
Well if Bobby Valentine wanted some more reasons to move Bard back to the bullpen he certainly got them today. Bard went 6 innings while giving up 5 runs, 6 hits and 3 walks - raising his spring ERA to 7.23 in the process. At this point it's really beginning to look like Bard will start the season in the bullpen in his customary 8th inning role and honestly I don't think that's the worst thing.
The Red Sox have enough question mark guys at the end of their rotation they can afford to lose one and Bard has proven in the past that he can be an elite set up man when he's consistent. But, hasn't that been his problem all along? Still I think that he is most comfortable in that role and if he only wants to throw 2 pitches then what better place than the pen.
On the other side of the ball the Sox pounded out 13 hits, led by Mike Aviles going 3-4 with 2 runs and an RBI. It's nice to see Aviles responding to being basically handed the starters job to begin with, and now having to deal with the Jose Iglesias talk. Ryan Lavarnway also had 3 hits as he raised his spring average to .455. It's comforting to know that the Red Sox have a little bit of insurance if Big Papi opens up the season as his alter, ego: Old Papi.
John Lester takes the mound tomorrow at 1:05 pm on MLB.TV. Pedroia, Papi , Cody Ross and Nick Punto are the guys off of the expected MLB roster who are scheduled to play.
DUNEDIN, Fla. -- Toronto's Aaron Laffey and Boston's Daniel Bard were each roughed up for five runs a piece, and the Blue Jays came through in the 10th inning on Ricardo Nanita's single with the bases loaded for a 6-5 walk-off win on Sunday afternoon at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium...
Well if Bobby Valentine wanted some more reasons to move Bard back to the bullpen he certainly got them today. Bard went 6 innings while giving up 5 runs, 6 hits and 3 walks - raising his spring ERA to 7.23 in the process. At this point it's really beginning to look like Bard will start the season in the bullpen in his customary 8th inning role and honestly I don't think that's the worst thing.
The Red Sox have enough question mark guys at the end of their rotation they can afford to lose one and Bard has proven in the past that he can be an elite set up man when he's consistent. But, hasn't that been his problem all along? Still I think that he is most comfortable in that role and if he only wants to throw 2 pitches then what better place than the pen.
On the other side of the ball the Sox pounded out 13 hits, led by Mike Aviles going 3-4 with 2 runs and an RBI. It's nice to see Aviles responding to being basically handed the starters job to begin with, and now having to deal with the Jose Iglesias talk. Ryan Lavarnway also had 3 hits as he raised his spring average to .455. It's comforting to know that the Red Sox have a little bit of insurance if Big Papi opens up the season as his alter, ego: Old Papi.
John Lester takes the mound tomorrow at 1:05 pm on MLB.TV. Pedroia, Papi , Cody Ross and Nick Punto are the guys off of the expected MLB roster who are scheduled to play.
