First base stays as Ramirez’ post
Costly error won’t get Farrell thinking
RED SOX NOTEBOOK
ANAHEIM, Calif. — John Farrell isn’t ready to panic after one bad throw from Hanley Ramirez.
While it hasn’t been a perfect defensive season from the Red Sox first baseman, Ramirez’ errant throw that sailed over the catcher’s head and cost the Red Sox two runs and the game in a 2-1 loss to the Angels on Thursday night was just his fourth error of the season.
Ramirez said he was thinking two outs on the play, since the Sox could’ve escaped the jam with a double play that secured the third out of the inning.
“That’s mental right there,” Ramirez said. “That’s a mental mistake right there. I know what I did wrong. It won’t happen again.”
A year ago, when Ramirez was mishandling far too many routine fly balls in left field, Farrell began replacing him with better defenders as early as the seventh inning. Ramirez was in the lineup for his bat, which went cold after a hot April, and Farrell had no desire to test his defensive limits late in close games.
It could be perceived as reactionary for the Red Sox skipper to suddenly slap the training wheels on Ramirez and treat him the same way at first base, where he predominantly has been at least an adequate — if not above-average — fielder in his first season there.
“At this point, no,” Farrell said when he was asked if he would consider replacing Ramirez in close games.
“Early on, it was a thought, but I think as he’s got games under his belt, that looked like it was less needed, or less likely to be needed. That hasn’t changed. Just want him to go out and play with confidence.”
Pulling Ramirez out in the seventh inning isn’t likely to help his confidence any.
“The only thing coming out of spring training that we didn’t know,” Farrell said, “only because a game situation didn’t arise as much, were the cutoffs and relays and maybe throw back in behind potential runners. But in terms of the other basics plays — bunt plays, fielding position, making throws — we felt like that was going to be in good order.
“Last night stands out because of the timing of the play, but I think, overall, he’s done a very good job at first base.”
Ramirez has made four errors — two fielding and two throwing — though one could argue he hasn’t been tested. He’s collected 632 putouts in 726 innings, a relatively low ratio compared to other MLB first basemen.
With a baseball-low 22 assists, he hasn’t been forced to use his arm. He has made notable plays to turn double plays at home plate while showing solid range on diving efforts to either his left or right side.
And he has often played tight on the first base line because of how much range has at second base.
The most noticeable area for improvement: Ramirez’ ability to scoop low throws.
“There’s been a couple (mistakes),” Farrell said. “In Toronto (a 10-9 loss on May 28), there was another instance of a ball that looked to be either a short hop or a throw that was still airborne. That was another play that at the timing of the game really stands out. As an infielder, those scoops are kind of routine to a certain extent because he’s been on the infield, he’s had a number of plays that are very similar.”
Hill in, Shaw out
The Red Sox are turning to a new third baseman for the rest of this series against the Angels.
Aaron Hill got the start last night over Travis Shaw, who made a few errant throws and fielding mistakes at third base of late. Farrell said Hill was starting over Shaw against Tim
Lincecum because of his success against the righthander. Hill went 1-for-4 in the Sox’ 6-2 win and is now 12-for-26 with five walks against Lincecum.
With two lefties on the mound for the Angels this weekend, Hill will stay in the lineup.
“I think, even though he’s a veteran guy, to get regular at-bats and repetition helps every player,” Farrell said.
David Ortiz will likely be out of the lineup today while Ramirez starts as the DH, Farrell said.
No time to talk
David Price was not in the mood to talk about his pitching mechanics or reveal anything about why he was able to keep the Angels scoreless through eight innings on Thursday.
Price responded to one question about his mechanics with a sarcastic “sure” and responded to another question with a response he’s used often this year: “Just executing pitches.”
A day later, Farrell opened up about why he thought Price was so much better than he had been in his previous two starts, in each of which he allowed 11 hits.
“I thought the biggest key the last night was how consistently he threw his curveball for strikes,” Farrell said. “That was a difference-maker for him last night, to give a different look, to get an early strike, or to get back into some counts. His eight innings of work certainly doesn’t go unnoticed. And great to see him go out and just pitch kind of free and he made some key pitches in some spots and I think he enjoyed himself for the work he put in.
“We’re going to need that going forward. That’s a good standard to set to start this trip.”
Kimbrel warming up
Closer Craig Kimbrel will start a rehab assignment with Triple-A Pawtucket today. He’s scheduled to start the game and throw one inning. He could rejoin the Red Sox on Monday in Seattle, though it depends how his surgically repaired knee is holding up.