Giants 5, Sox 2
Solid start for Banuelos
In his 4⅔ innings of two-run ball, left-hander Manny Banuelos didn’t have his strikeout pitch working like in previous outings, but he filled the zone with two-seamers, walked no one and declared himself worthy of a spot on the Opening Day roster, despite a 5.14 ERA in five starts.
“Honestly, yes,” said Banuelos, a former top Yankees prospect. “I believe I have shown what I’m capable of doing. I’ve progressed in every outing, and I feel healthy. That is a big key for me.”
If the 28-year-old Banuelos, who is out of options, doesn’t make the team as a starter, he could be used as a long reliever or swing man.
Over Yonder
Yonder Alonso hit his team-high fourth homer of the spring (his second to the opposite field) in the first inning against Tyler Beede. The Sox (7-14-2) did not score after that and struck out 12 times, including three by Brandon Guyer in three plate appearances.
Been there, done that
Adam Engel, a Gold Glove finalist in center field last season, scaled the center-field wall to take a home run away from Pablo Sandoval in the second inning. Engel made three such plays in a span of one week last season. Engel also singled twice in three at-bats, raising his spring average to .250.
That’s more like it
Lefty Jace Fry, who was having a tough spring, struck out four, walked one and did not allow a hit in 1⅔ innings. Lefty waiver pick-up Josh Osich walked one but struck out two in his second scoreless appearance in as many outings. Kelvin Herrera (3.18 ERA) pitched a scoreless inning with one strikeout.
On deck
Sox at Reds, Goodyear, 8:05 p.m. Tuesday, NBCSCH, 720-AM, Reynaldo Lopez vs. Lucas Sims.
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— Daryl Van Schouwen
