Red Sox game review: Red Sox 6, Rays 4.

JetBlue Park - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2025)
Jet Blue Park

    The Red Sox kicked off their 2025 Grapefruit League campaign with a 6-4 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays Saturday afternoon. Top prospect Marcelo Mayer got the Sox on the board early with an RBI single off Rays starter Jacob Waguespack in the top of the first. Home runs from Cedanne Rafeala, Trayce Thompson, and Tyler Miller helping to hold off a late comeback by the Rays following a 3 run 7th.

    Red Sox starter Quinn Priester threw 1.2 innings, striking out none and allowing a solo homerun to former Red Sox Danny Jansen. Priester will likely end up a rotation depth option in AAA, but a heavy early schedule could see him getting some early starts. 

    The Red Sox got scoreless innings out of Luis Guerrero, who struck out all three batters he faced, and Robert Stock, who returns to the Red Sox after spending some time pitching in Mexico. Both look to battle for a bullpen spot. 

    Reliever Michael Fulmer, whom Alex Cora spoke of very highly before the game, pitched 1.2 innings of scoreless work. Most impressive however was Shane Drohan. The once highly touted prospect has faced a tough past couple of seasons, but he threw 2 scoreless innings in the win, striking out 3 while allowing no hits. 

    It was Yovanny Cruz who ran into the most trouble today, as the righty allowed 3 runs on 4 hits in his lone inning of work. Cruz, 25, pitched in AA for the Rangers last year. 

    On the offensive side, Roman Anthony went 1-3 in his much anticipated Spring Training debut, his only hit being a hard-hit single into right. Marcelo Mayer also recorded a hit out of the DH spot today, although he did strikeout twice. In his pinch hit appearance, Kristian Campbell drew a walk. 

    Be sure to tune into tomorrows Grapefruit League game, as the Red Sox two headline additions of the offseason will be making an appearance. Garrett Crochet gets the start, and Cora confirmed Alex Bregman will begin the game at third against the Blue Jays. That game is slated to begin at 1:05 pm EST, available to stream on NESN and NESN 360.

    

           

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