« Two debuts today
Main
Tavares will work as long as possible »
August 19, 2007
Red Sox fans occasionally _ no make that frequently _ like to debate why manager Terry Francona gives one of his players a day off. However, it would be difficult for any fan to question why the manager has opted to go with not one, but two guys, to make Boston debuts today.
In his pre-game meeting with the media just now, Francona laid out the reasons for his decision to get both Kevin Cash and Bobby Kielty into his starting lineup today. His explanation seems easy to understand.
``Jason (Varitek) has caught 27 innings in a row in what is about a 24-hour period. I figured we better play the other catcher. That’s my thought there,’’ Francona said of starting Cash.
Cash, who was brought up Friday to replace the injured Doug Mirabelli (strained calf) was hitting only .176 with seven homers and 25 RBI in 59 games at Pawtucket. But he is a veteran with previous experience with Toronto (2002-04) and Tampa Bay (2005). He is excellent defensively, having thrown out 46 percent of the runners (23-50) trying to steal against him in Pawtucket.
Kielty, a right-handed hitter is playing in place of J.D. Drew in right because the Angels are starting lefty Joe Saunders.
``Bobby Kielty was brought in as a right-handed bat against left-handed pitching. There’s a lefthander today,’’ Francona said. ``J.D. has played three in a row. Again, it just seems to make common sense. There are days when you balance things out. Today’s it’s just trying to win the game.’’
Kielty, 30, has plenty of experience, first with Minnesota and four hte past four seasons with Oakland. He is a career .256 hitter in 1,705 at-bats. He has 52 Mahjor League home runs.
If Sox fans really want to debate the issue, maybe they should wait a day.
It is expected both Cash and Kielty will start tomorrow night in Tampa, too, when Boston faces southpaw Scott Kazmir. Cash will catch because Tim Wakefield will start for the Sox. Cash has experience catching knucklers John Barnes and Charlie Zink in the Sox system.
Posted by Paul Kenyon 
at 12:10 PM | Permalink
