JUPITER, Fla. — Allen Craig bolstered his bid for more playing time in Boston’s crowded outfield, hitting a three-run double in helping the Red Sox build a lead the Miami Marlins would overcome with an eight-run eighth inning for a 9-4 victory Tuesday.
Playing in the spring training park he once called home with the St. Louis Cardinals, Craig’s double off Tom Koehler capped a four-run third inning for the Red Sox.
UP NEXT
WHO: Minnesota Twins at Boston Red Sox
WHEN: 1:05 p.m. Thursday
WHERE: Fort Myers, Fla.
Locked in a six-player battle for one of the five roster spots the Red Sox intend to use for outfielders, Craig is hitting .278 with seven RBI this spring.
“Obviously everybody wants results and hits and RBIs and stuff, but I feel like my process is pretty good right now,” Craig said.
Craig came to Boston via a 2014 trade with St. Louis, which shares the Roger Dean Stadium complex with Miami.
Jordany Valdespin hit a two-run triple and Jeff Baker doubled in two in the Marlins’ big inning. Miami managed only one hit until the eighth.
“We’ve been scuffling a little bit the last couple days so it’s nice to see guys come in off the bench and have some great at-bats and put some runs on the board and have a nice comeback win,” Marlins Manager Mike Redmond said.
Boston originally planned to start Henry Owens on Tuesday with Brad Johnson following him, but Manager John Farrell decided to give Johnson, who along with Owens is competing for a bullpen spot, the start instead. Johnson responded by allowing one run on one hit and three walks in 32/3 innings. “The way he’s throwing the ball, honestly he’s deserving the start,” Farrell said. Owens allowed five runs, four earned, in the eighth.
NOTES: Designated hitter David Ortiz (flu) went through a full workout, including batting practice, at the team’s facility in Fort Myers. Farrell expects Ortiz to get at-bats in Thursday’s game. … First baseman Mike Napoli (ankle) also worked out in Fort Myers. He, too, is expected to be in the lineup later this week. … Closer Koji Uehara (hamstring) is scheduled to throw off flat ground, then throw a bullpen session as the week progresses, but Farrell does not expect to use him in a game until after the weekend. “With each passing day that he’s not in the game there’s growing concern – concern in the sense, will he be ready for (opening day)?” Farrell said. … Farrell said he has a good idea which outfielders will make the opening-day roster but he’s not willing to make a proclamation, yet. The durability of Shane Victorino, who underwent off-season back surgery, is still a concern. Farrell said Victorino is not 100 percent healthy. Farrell also hopes to see more of newly signed Rusney Castillo in right field before announcing the decision.
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