Opening Up Right

2012 was a magical season for the Pawtucket Red Sox. After a span of 28 years, they reclaimed the 2012 Governors Cup with a sweep over the Charlotte Knights. Going into 2013, however there were many changes in the clubhouse

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Many of the familiar faces were gone. The likes of 1B Lars Anderson and SP Justin Germano were gone via trades. SP Brandon Duckworth and Mark Prior were let go. Then you had 1B/3B/DH Mauro Gomez (the 2012 IL MVP) Designated for Assignment while familiar faces like SS Jose Iglesias, RP Junichi Tazawa, and INF Pedro Ciriaco are now currently playing in Boston. 

The coaching staff was also transformed. After 2 successful seasons down in Pawtucket, Arnie Beyler got called up to Boston to be the First Base coach while hitting coach Gerald Perry took the same job but with the Erie SeaWolves, the Double-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. Replacing them respectively were Gary DiSarcina as manager and Davie Joppie as hiting coach.

All though the changes were many, there were still baseball to be played. While the Boston Red Sox took 2 out of 3 games against the New York Yankees the PawSox began their 2013 season with a 8-4 W over the Scranton/Wilkes Barre RailRiders (the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees). 

The game took 3 hours and 33 minutes to complete 10 innings of play. After battling back from an early 2-0 deficiet to have things tie up in after the 7th, the PawSox were able to break things open up in the 10th inning. They were able to score 5 runs, 2 coming off solo shots by LF Jeremy Hazelbaker and RF Justin Henry. RHP Alex Wilson was able to pick up the win after 2.0 innings of work, giving up 0 runs, 1 hits, and fanning 3 Railriders.

2012 is now in the rear view mirror. 2013 is upon us right now. Who knows what the season will bring to this year's squad. But there's nothing quite like getting that opening day ball game "W" to start things off.

-Ryan L. Fox