Tim Wakefield threw three shutout innings, allowing one hit with three strikeouts and two walks on 48 pitches. Wakefield appeared to get stronger as the game progressed. David Aardsma and Bryan Corey contributed three scoreless innings of work in relief, however Craig Breslow, Hunter Jones and Lee Gronkiewicz didn’t fare blowing a 5-1 lead by surrendering 6 earned runs over the final 2 innings in a 9-6 loss to the Dodgers at Fort Myers. Dustin Pedroia, Sean Casey each had 2 hits and Jacoby Ellbury doubled and made an outstanding defensive play in center field. The Sox travel to Fort Lauderdale today to take on the Orioles at 1:05 PM.
Notes: The Red Sox agreed to terms with all 18 of their unsigned players for 2008, none of whom had his contract renewed. Jonathan Paplebon set a salary record for closers with just two-plus years of service time yesterday when he and the ballclub agreed to terms on a $775,000 one-year deal. Dustin Pedroia came to terms ($457,000), as did Jon Lester ($421,500), Manny Delcarmen ($421,000), Jacoby Ellsbury ($406,000), and Clay Buchholz ($396,000). The major league minimum is $390,000 this year. The other agreements were reached with pitchers David Aardsma, Craig Breslow, Bryan Corey, Devern Hansack, Kyle Jackson, Edgar Martinez, and David Pauley; catchers Dusty Brown and George Kottaras; infielders Chris Carter and Argenis Diaz, and outfielder and Brandon Moss.
Bartolo Colon will face live hitters on Saturday before the team heads to Vero Beach to play the Dodgers. George Kottaras tweaked a quadriceps muscle tripping over first base. Although he came out of the game, the injury is not expected to keep him out long.
