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Baseball Today: Thursday, April 24 »
April 23, 2008
Craig Hansen’s stay in Boston lasted only one day, which is becoming the norm around this sickness-ravaged team.
And he was tagged with the loss in last night’s 6-4 defeat against the Angels, having coughed up a two-out solo homer to Casey Kotchman in the sixth inning that snapped a 4-4 tie.
Still, Francona came away impressed after watching the 6-foot-6, 230-pound right-hander in his 1 2/3-inning outing.
“I thought he threw the ball great,” said Francona. “He left one pitch up (97 m.p.h. fastball) and Kotchman didn’t miss it. But he pitched with confidence, aggression. His slider was 88 and 89 (m.p.h.) with bite. He pitched with no fear. He just reared back and let the natural movement take over.”
Nevertheless, the Sox optioned him back to Pawtucket after the game because they needed to make a move for a starting pitcher. Masterson will take his place on the roster for today’s start.
Hansen was not surprised he was being sent back to the minors.
“I pretty much figured it, but I figured I would go out there and give it my best,” said Hansen, who fanned three. “I felt strong out there. A couple of my pitches were working. There were one or two pitches that I guided (including the Kotchman homer). Obviously it was a mistake. It was a fastball inside but it got too much of the plate.”
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Mike Lowell will begin a rehabilitation assignment in Pawtucket tomorrow.
Lowell, who has been on the disabled list since April 10 because of a sprained left thumb, will serve as the PawSox’ designated hitter tomorrow for a home game at McCoy Stadium, and then will play for Pawtucket in two games over the weekend in Buffalo.
He is scheduled to play third base on Saturday and then DH again on Sunday. Boston has Monday off, so Lowell will be able to get treatment or whatever work on the field he would like at Fenway. If all goes well, Lowell is likely to be activated in time for Tuesday night’s game at Fenway against Toronto.
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Catcher Jason Varitek went “backward a bit,” yesterday, said Francona, apparently trying to do too much in his effort to overcome his case of the flu and return to action.
But Francona also said he thought it might be possible for Varitek to be available late in today’s game as a hitter.
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The hitting streaks keep growing. Dustin Pedroia (12), Julio Lugo (9), Sean Casey (7) and Jacoby Ellsbury (6) each extended a hitting streak last night . . . Ellsbury has reached base via a hit or walk in 45 of the 49 big-league games in which he has had a plate appearances . . . Masterson will be the first player from the 2006 draft class to make it to the majors. He is 16-9 in his three minor-league seasons.
-- Steven Krasner
Posted by Steven Krasner 
at 11:06 PM | Permalink
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