Red Sox alumni enjoy game Mets fall to the Brewers
Boston — Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez knew it was all in fun. But he certainly didn't expect Julio Lugo to hit one that far.
Lugo launched a two-run homer off a billboard above the Green Monster on Sunday, providing the only runs in a Red Sox alumni game before Boston faced the Atlanta Braves at Fenway Park.
"Julio told me: 'After 35-years, this is the first hit I got off you,'" Martinez said, standing at a bunch of temporary lockers in a club behind center field.
"It was a straight fastball. I fell behind on the count and laid it in there, but I didn't expect him to hit it out, but he did," Martinez said. "He hit it well. He's playing softball. You can see the swing."
It was the first alumni game the Red Sox have held in 25 years.
Former pitcher Luis Tiant and right fielder Dwight Evans served as managers in the game scheduled for three innings. It was extended to four after some quick outs, giving Tiant's squad the victory.
Martinez and Lugo were joined by 2007 World Series MVP Mike Lowell, who was on the front end of a nifty 5-4-3 double play, along with other notable names: Hall of Famer Wade Boggs, pitchers Bill Lee and Derek Lowe, and outfielder Mike Greenwell, runner-up for AL MVP in 1988.
A handful of Braves current players watched from their dugout, including 24-year-old left-hander Sean Newcomb, a Massachusetts native, who was born in Brockton, attended Middleborough High School and still resides in the state in the offseason.
"I remember watching the most — Pedro, Derek Lowe, Mike Lowell, Jonny Gomes, Orlando Cabrera, and Julio Lugo," Newcomb said, sitting in the dugout.
For the 42-year-old Lugo, it was a memory he won't forget. Not bad for someone who hit .385 as Boston's starting shortstop in the 2007 World Series sweep over Colorado. "To get a home run here was awesome," he said. The game ended when Lee struck out against Lenny DiNardo with the bases loaded. The smiles seemed to never leave when they all were on the field.
"To be back on that mound is so refreshing," said Martinez, who said he thought it was his first time on the Fenway mound since he was with the New York Mets in 2006. "It was like it was yesterday," he said. Proceeds from a 50/50 raffle were to benefit NESN cameraman, John Martin, who was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease in 2016. Martinez has done other things to help cameraman's charity.
Milwaukee — Domingo Santana's two-run double highlighted a fourrun seventh inning for the Milwaukee Brewers, who shelled the New York Mets' battered bullpen again and then held on for an 8-7 win on Sunday.
Jesus Aguilar added a three-run homer and four RBIs for the NL Central leaders. The Brewers won their fifth straight series by taking three of four games from the struggling Mets.
The Brewers teed off on three relievers in the decisive seventh. After Robert Gsellman walked Jesus Aguilar to put runners on first and second with two outs, Jerry Blevins (1-1) gave up an RBI single to Travis Shaw.
Manager Mickey Callaway lifted Blevins after one batter for Paul Sewald, but the righty allowed Santana's flare down the right-field line for a double before Jonathan Villar drove Santana home with another double.
Milwaukee got to the Mets' bullpen again after tagging New York relievers for eight runs and 13 hits in a 17-6 victory on Saturday.
The Brewers won for the sixth time in seven games, but endured their own nervous moments late when struggling closer Corey Knebel gave up a solo homer to Devin Mesoraco in the ninth to draw the Mets within a run.
Knebel then walked potential tying run Amed Rosario, who later stole second. But Knebel struck out Asdrubal Cabrera and Michael Conforto on fastballs to the end the game for his fourth save.
Boone Logan (1-0) was credited the win despite giving up Cabrera's solo homer in the seventh.
Trainer's room
Mets: 3B Wilmer Flores left the game before the bottom of the fourth with lower back soreness . ... Assistant GM John Ricco said that C Kevin Plawecki (left hand) and RHP Hansel Robles (right knee) were headed to Atlanta, where they might be activated from the disabled list to rejoin the club for the doubleheader Monday against the Braves . ... 3B Todd Frazier (left hamstring) was headed to Triple-A Las Vegas.