SARASOTA, Fla. — After Daisuke Matsuzaka's first outing of the spring, he seemed to want to create a competition for that last spot in the rotation, suggesting that it was his to win but no guarantee. Matsuzaka indicated he welcomed the competition, for it would fuel him to perform.
That competition may not even exist in the minds of the Red Sox coaching staff and front office, but the events of Saturday afternoon didn't do anything to make less of the situation.
While Matsuzaka gave up seven runs — five earned — in three innings in a meeting with Florida's second-rate travel squad at home, Alfredo Aceves, a very likely option if a replacement starter is needed, threw three solid frames against Baltimore's 'A' lineup.
If there is a competition to be won, Aceves has the makeup. Manager Terry Francona called him "a maniac" in terms of his preparation. The right-hander showed some of that incredible drive before, during and after his outing against the O's.
First, when he learned that the Orioles were starting all of their regulars, with the exception of first baseman Derrek Lee, he raced to the lineup card hanging in the Red Sox clubhouse to fill it out himself.
On the left side was Boston's lineup, printed out perfectly by a computer, and on the right was nine names scripted in pen by the Red Sox righty.
Aceves was fired up to face a major league lineup loaded with muscle.
"I wrote it over there, I wrote it with a pen," Aceves said. "It's pretty much the lineup for Baltimore. It helps us because if you shut them down we'll be able to shut them down in the season, too."
That is just about what Aceves did. He retired the first six men he faced before the seventh reached on an error. A pair of singles followed, the second of which plated an unearned run and got Aceves fuming.
On March 5.
"I feel disappointed because the [run-scoring] hit I gave up I should've gone inside," Aceves said. "It was in my mind, but I changed it. I'm not happy with it."
Aside from that pitch, Aceves was pleased with the outing, after which he threw another 15 pitches in the bullpen. His effort gave him five innings this spring without allowing an earned run. It also served to increase the reputation Aceves is building in camp as an absolute bulldog.
"I think he's fired up anytime he gets the ball," said bench coach DeMarlo Hale, who managed the split-squad affair. "He wants to know the lineup. He's got this mental thought, this mental picture of what he wants to do and this game plan of what he wants to do … He was right there in the zone as he always is, with some movement, so he has to pleased.
"I know he was a little upset, he got a couple of balls up to the lefties for base hits, but overall, I hope he's happy. I know I am."
Matsuzaka told reporters back in Fort Myers that he used his fastball for much of his first outing, during which he gave up a run in two innings. He utilized his breaking ball Saturday and was hit hard. He said that his next outing will serve more like the regular season.
If there is in fact a competition, Matsuzaka will want to have some better results. Aceves is making an impression.
