Top - Pirates at Red Sox

Doug Kaid, again checking in City of Palms Park in Fort Myers. I'm feeling a little under the weather today, and the two-hour commute didn't help my condition. I have no reason to complain because I'm sitting here watching baseball on a pleasant Florida afternoon. A couple bowls of Italian Wedding soup were just what the doctor order. I should be able to go strong for the next three hours.
Anyway, Daisuke Matsuzaka takes the mound for the World Champion Red Sox. Some of the Daisuke mania has subsided, but there is still a buzz in the crowd and a army of Japanese media in the press box.
The ballpark was filled more than 15 minutes prior to game-time. That's something you don't see very often for a spring training game. Jacob Ellsbury might have gotten the biggest applause, but the Red Sox are sending out a pretty good lineup. We'll get to the that later.
Daisuke retired Nyjer Morgan and Andrew McCutchen quickly, but Freddy Sanchez doubled sharply to the left field corner. Bay fouled out to end a scoreless top half.
Score: 0-0