FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) – Less than two years after having surgery to repair his pitching elbow, Kris Benson got the official nod Sunday as Pittsburgh’s opening day starter, giving up three runs over five innings as the Pirates beat the Boston Red Sox 10-4.
Benson entered spring training as the Pirates’ apparent No. 1 pitcher, but manager Lloyd McClendon didn’t make it
official until after Sunday’s game.
“He’s got his arm strength back, throws down in the zone a lot more consistently,” McClendon said. “It’s good to see.”
Jason Kendall and Kevin Young each had two hits and two RBIs for Pittsburgh, which scored six runs off Boston starter Casey Fossum before he was lifted after 2 1-3 innings.
Manny Ramirez went 3-for-3 for the Red Sox, improving his average this spring to .581.
“This was a big jump for me,” said Benson, who had Tommy John surgery in May 2001 and returned last year to win nine games, including his last five decisions.
“I knew I needed to have a good outing today and I need to have two more good outings,” he said. “I think this puts me in a position to be where I need to be two weeks from now.”
Benson gave up doubles to Ramirez and David Ortiz in a two-run first, but the only other blemish was a solo home run to Kevin Millar in the fourth.
Pittsburgh broke the game open in the sixth on Kendall’s two-run double. Pokey Reese and Adam Hyzdu also had two hits for the Pirates.
Notes: Pittsburgh left-fielder Rob Mackowiak robbed Boston’s Lou Collier of a home run, reaching over the fence in the bottom of the seventh. … Sunday’s game drew a crowd of 8,183, the second largest ever at City of Palms Park, behind Boston’s game against the New York Yankees earlier this month. … Ramirez got a lucky break on his first double, which fell in front of Pittsburgh right-fielder J.J. Davis.
, who misjudged the ball. … Pittsburgh hosts Boston for a three-game series in June, the first time Boston’s American League team has played in Pittsburgh since the first World Series in 1903.
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