Kevin Youkilis (1-for-1) hit a three-run home run in the first inning and the Boston Red Sox defeated the Boston College Eagles, 6-0, in their first tune-up of the 2011 season at City of Palms Park in Fort Myers, Florida.
This was the first game for the Red Sox since October 3rd when they defeated the New York Yankees, 8-4. in their 2010 regular season finale.
Boston’s pitching staff gave up only one hit to Boston College, a single by Eagles’ catcher Jim Laufer (1-for-2) in the seventh inning, which came off of pitcher Randy Williams.
Stolmy Pimentel (1-0) pitched two perfect innings, striking out two, to earn the win for the Red Sox (1-0). Michael Bowden earned the hold, tossing a perfect third inning.
Jason Rice, Clevelan Santeliz and Matt Fox each pitched one inning a piece and combined for five strike outs and one walk for the Red Sox.
Boston had six hits in the game. Dustin Pedroia was 0-for-1 with a walk, David Ortiz went 0-for-2 and Marco Scutaro walked twice. Shortstop Brent Dlugach was a perfect 2-for-2 and second baseman Nate Spears (1-for-2), third baseman Will Middlebrooks (1-for-2) and outfielder Ryan Kalish (1-for-2) each had one hit for the Red Sox.
Geoff Oxley, who had Tommy John surgery last May, was charged with the loss after giving up three runs, including the home run to Youkilis, in the first inning for Boston College. Oxley walked two batters and had one strikeout.