October 4,
2007 ...
No game scheduled ...
Kevin Youkilis offered as good a reason as any for why nearly all the
Red Sox showed up for a workout this morning at Fenway Park that was
termed optional. "It's 80 degrees in Boston at this time of year,"
the first baseman said. "It feels like we're in Anaheim."
Rookie
outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury made an immediate impact in his postseason debut.
Replacing Manny Ramirez in left field in the ninth, Ellsbury made a sprawling
catch to take away a hit from Chone Figgins leading off the inning.
Tim
Wakefield played catch from about 90 feet, Francona said, and will continue to
play catch until the team's medical staff deems him ready to progress to a
bullpen session. With Wakefield not needed to start until a prospective Game 4
of the AL Championship Series, the Sox have the luxury of time. But Francona is
offering no guarantees that the 41-year-old knuckleballer, who has inflammation
in the back of his shoulder, will be ready.
At the end
of the Angels' workout today, it was interesting to see manager Mike Scioscia
working with catcher Mike Napoli on his throws to second base. The Angels surely
are aware that the Sox running game could come into play.
