Any time we face the Reds, I immediately think of 1975.  The infamous Pudge homer, Bernie Carbo's game-tying homer, Dewey's incredible catch.  It all comes back when we face the Reds. 

What reminds me most about the ST outing against them yesterday was the one-run victory they took over us.  They beat us four games to three in '75 and beat us 9-8 yesterday.   Jonny Gomes hit a grand slam against Wes in the seventh.  Lowrie looked sharp with two hits and a run.  Paul McAnulty belted a two-run double in the bottom of the third and later added a two-run homer.

Lester was impressive firing two hitless innings and striking out two while throwing a mere 20 pitches. Okie pitched a scoreless third inning. Ramon Ramirez was worked in the fourth, allowing four hits, four runs (three earned) and two homers.

Junichi Tazawa fired a 1-2-3 inning. Tazawa hadn't allowed a run in his three games, the first two of which were against Boston College and Northeastern University.   So far we are 2-5 in Grapefruit League play. 

I would also like to touch on Tuesday's game against the O's.  Masterson is one of the most promising (if not the most promising) young pitcher that we have on board.  Masterson gave up one hit in the first inning and escaped unscathed. He also worked through the second without allowing a run.   He looked pretty solid.  He's one of three (Buchholz and Bowden included) being looked at to fill in for Penny if his shoulder pushes him back any further.   I see Masterson as being mentally strong and he does well under pressure (as he proved to us last year).  I'm excited to see much, much more from him this upcoming season.

Now, while Kotsay is out for surgery, we need someone off the bench who can play first base and the corner outfield spots as well as Kotsay does.  As far as looking for experience and success goes, Brad Wilkerson looks to be the most promising to fill that void.  We can also think about Carter, Bailey and McAnulty who have all shown that hunger so far.  I wish Kotsay a speedy recovery. 

Since Manny seems to be the most talked about around this site lately,  look at this.  I just found this on MLB.com:

The Dodgers have agreed in principal on a two-year, $45 million deal to re-sign free agent left fielder Manny Ramirez, a baseball source said on Wednesday morning.

The deal was closed, pending a physical, at a meeting in Los Angeles attended by Ramirez, his agents Scott Boras and Mike Fiore, Dodgers owner Frank McCourt, general manager Ned Colletti and manager Joe Torre, the latter duo both flying from Spring Training camp on Tuesday night for the session.

So, the deal is done and Manny DID end up staying in LA.  Good luck and keep your nose clean.

GO SOX!!
RSM - RLF