Ellsbury Returns As Red Sox Beat Northeastern 13-2
FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) - Jacoby Ellsbury returned to the leadoff spot in Boston's lineup to help the Red Sox beat Northeastern University 13-2 on Saturday night in the second game of an exhibition doubleheader.
Ellsbury, who missed all but 18 games last season because of broken ribs, went 0 for 1 with a walk as the Red Sox swept the twin bill after a 6-0 win over Boston College earlier Saturday.
"It felt good getting out there and getting some at-bats in and some innings," Ellsbury said. "I feel good. I feel actually ahead of schedule than normal spring training. So I think everything's going along smoothly."
Ellsbury said he felt no hesitation in the field or at the plate.
"Not at all," he said. "That's what we had the offseason for, is to get rid of all the hesitation, come in to spring training and just ready to be back."
Mike Cameron, who played in only 48 games last season because of a lower abdominal strain, served as the designated hitter, going 0 for 2 for the Red Sox.
"It was nice to see them both in action," manager Terry Francona said of Ellsbury and Cameron.
It was Cameron's first game activity since July 30.
"It was good," Cameron said. "You just never know how the game is going to transpire. It was good. I got a chance to get out there and get in the box. The jitters kind of went away. I don't know if it was the guy who was throwing or what, but I felt kind of comfortable out there. We'll continue the work in progress."
Left-hander Rich Hill, vying for a spot in Boston's bullpen, earned the win for the Red Sox, going one inning, giving up a run on one hit with a strikeout.
Northeastern took the lead when Ryan Maguire, of Arlington, Mass., hit the first pitch from right-hander Kyle Weiland over the left-field fence.
Shortstop Jose Iglesias, one of the top prospects in the Red Sox system, went 2 for 3 with two runs scored and three RBI.
"He took a nice swing," Francona said. "The big thing for Jose will not be his swing. I think he's got a pretty swing. It's just swinging at strikes, trying to work counts and learning that aspect of it because he can hit. He can get the barrel on the ball."
Peter Hissey and Che-Hsuan Lin also had two RBI each for the Red Sox.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
