yellow (in honor of the Hanshin Tigers) chanting for innings on end,
the Red Sox continued their Spring Training in a venue that felt
nothing like Florida.
Playing in Japan for the first time, the Sox pulled out a 6-5 victory
over Hanshin before a packed house at Tokyo Dome on Saturday.
There was an overall air of excitement between two franchises that
have fanatic followings. In fact, the Hanshin Tigers are the team in
Japan that has most often been compared to the Red Sox.
"It was definitely exciting just to be out there," said Sox first
baseman Kevin Youkilis. "We joked with Manny [Ramirez] that he
couldn't here what was going on in the game because it was so loud
back there. It was definitely very interesting how they got into the
game. The cheers were all in sync, even the people on the third-base,
first-base side. It was pretty cool to hear that. It was definitely an
experience."
David Ortiz's swing was certainly no worse for the wear after the
17-hour flight from Florida, as he got the Sox on the board by
clubbing a solo homer to left in the top of the first.
"I've had a very good Spring Training," said Ortiz. "I'm glad I was
able to hit one in front of Japanese fans."
Three batters later, it was J.D. Drew who took aim at the fence,
nailing a three-run shot to left-center.
"The home run came on a fastball away," said Drew. "I made good
contact. It's always good to produce with men on base."
If the Red Sox had any lingering jet lag, it didn't show.
"Any game we play, we don't ever talk about jetlag," said Red Sox
manager Terry Francona. "We were supposed to show up and play the game
today so that's what we did. We came out early and swung the bats
pretty well. We swung at strikes. David and J.D., they put some good
swings on the ball."
Though the unique chants of the Japanese fans took center stage for
most of the game, there was also a little touch of Red Sox Nation when
"Sweet Caroline" was played over the sound system before the bottom of
the eighth inning. And even more when Jonathan Papelbon's walk-in song
"Shipping Up To Boston" by the Dropkick Murphy's was played when he
came on for the ninth inning.
And once Papelbon completed the save with an overpowering an inning,
"Dirty Water" by the Standells -- the traditional Red Sox victory song
at Fenway Park -- boomed out as the visitors did their postgame
handshakes.
"The local flavor, I'm not sure we knew what to expect," said
Francona. "With all those things -- they were beating and yelling and
singing -- it was a good experience. I don't know that we knew exactly
what to expect but they were enthusiastic and I think both teams put
on a good show. It was a good baseball game to watch."
Despite falling in an early 5-0 deficit, the Tigers showed they could
compete with the defending World Series champions.
Red Sox right-hander Clay Buchholz lost his feel in the bottom of the
second, being tagged for four runs. The big hits came from Norhiro
Akahoshi (two-run double) and Keiichi Hirano (two-run single).
"I think it was as fastball," said Hirano. "I was glad I was able to
keep the rally going."
Buchholz lasted 3 2/3 innings, being touched up for six hits and four
runs. He walked two and struck out four.
"The best way to win is when you score -- hold a team down," Francona
said. "But you also treat it a little differently because it is an
exhibition game. You're going to leave your pitcher out there and try
to get his work in."
Youkilis stretched Boston's lead back to two runs in the sixth, lacing
an RBI single to left. But the Tigers got it right back in the bottom
of the inning on Hirani's sacrifice fly.
By the end of the day, the Red Sox had accomplished what they wanted.
"You try to win every game you play, and also get ready for the
season," Francona said.
The Sox play again on Sunday against the Yomiuri Giants. That game
will carried live on MLB.TV at 6 a.m. ET.
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