The star of the game was the thus far quiet Brian Daubach who went 2-4 with a HR and 4 RBI. Daubach is a player who's future is still uncertain, he does have options left to be sent to Pawtucket, and there are two players who are making the Sox consider that very move. Morgan Burkhart has been smashing the ball around all spring and rookie Shea Hillenbrand is quickly becoming a favorite of Jimy's. Not only is Hillenbrand leading the team in hitting this spring, but he's also very versatile, being available to play catcher, third, first, or outfield. Shea is exactly the kind of player Jimy loves to have on the team and at his disposal.

With his performance yesterday, and a few more like it Daubach will most likely secure his spot over at first base, at least to start the season. Either way, it's going to be a very difficult decision for Jimy and his staff come final cut down day.

The story for the pitching on the day was the long ball. The Sox, as a staff, gave up four round trippers, one each given up by Tim Wakefield, Rolando Arrojo, Pete Schourek, and Miller (who's first name I don't know). A stat that definitely needs to be improved upon come season time.

But in the end, we did beat the Y-----s and ran our spring winning streak to five games. Also, now is the time we can really start taking each daily performance a little more seriously. Pitchers will need to start going deeper into games and by now hitters should be plenty warmed up as far as timing goes. Very soon, if not already, many of the players who are not going to start with their big league clubs are going to be sent to minor league camp, leaving the major leaguers to play the remaining spring games. A very important two weeks remains for the Sox and several of our players, time to get the final kinks worked out, and the big league flow going.

paul@redsox2000.com