Bobby Dalbec, Ryan Fitzgerald continue Grapefruit League tear: Red Sox and Braves end in 6-6 tie on pitch timer automatic strike three call
The Red Sox entered the ninth inning Saturday with a 6-3 lead over the Braves that quickly got out of hand. Red Sox pitching prospect Joey Stock couldn’t find the strike zone and his defense was not helping his case either and the game was tied 6-6 with the bases loaded and one out.
Robert Kwiatkowski came into a near impossible spot and ended the game on a pitch timer automatic strike three call by the home plate umpire. This call will certainly grab some headlines over the next couple of days.
It was the first time Red Sox players were up against the pitch timer and other rule changes in a game. We saw a few violations early on, but it seems the players adjusted as the game went on until the very last pitch of the game.
Bobby Dalbec continued to stay hot in the Grapefruit League on Saturday as he homered opposite field is his second at-bat.
Alongside Dalbec, Ryan Fitzgerald continued his hot streak in Spring Training dating back to last season. His RBI double in the top of the 8th gave the Red Sox the lead and they wouldn’t look back despite a ninth inning scare. Tyler McDonough followed up Fitzgerald with an RBI double for himself and Ronaldo Hernandez followed up with an RBI single.
There were a few Red Sox regulars who made the trip for the game. Christian Arroyo went 0-3 with a strikeout. Raimel Tapia, who is fighting for a bench outfield spot, went 2-3 with two doubles. Rob Refsnyder went 0-2 with a strikeout.
One the pitching side of things, Wyatt Mills was a bright spot. Mills was acquired from the Kansas City Royals this offseason and figures to be fighting for a bullpen spot as camp rolls on. Mills struck out two on elevated pitches and looked strong in his Red Sox debut.
Kaleb Ort struggled against a few Braves regulars in the bottom of the 3rd. Matt Olsen crushed a home run to right center field, and he gave up a couple hard hit balls in the inning as well. Ort is battling for a bullpen spot on the major league team and is currently on the outside looking in.
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