"[Manager] Terry [Francona] is going to find out what happened and address it with Pedro," said Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein. "He'll talk to Pedro, I'm sure." When asked if Martinez's early departure was a violation of team policy, Epstein said, "We keep that in house."
Playing in 43-degree weather for the benefit of national television, Martinez and the Sox trailed, 3-0, before the Orioles made an out in the second. Seven of the first nine Baltimore batters reached base -- five hits, including a Javy Lopez homer, plus a hit batsman and Pedro's own throwing error.
Martinez settled down after the brutal second. He wound up giving up only two earned runs in six innings, striking out five. But he also gave up seven hits and a walk and topped 90 miles per hour infrequently. Sox fans might as well brace themselves for at least five full days of "What's wrong with Pedro?" stories.
It's been an unsettling spring for the little guy. Like many of his other high-profile teammates, he is unsigned after this year. He arrived in Florida weary from carrying that satellite-dish-sized chip on his right shoulder, and got mad when reporters questioned his velocity. In five spring outings, Martinez compiled a 6.75 ERA and gave up 20 hits and six walks in 16 innings. He was rocked for six runs in the first inning of his final Grapefruit League start. Veterans are certainly allowed to fail in spring training. They sometimes use the games to work on new things. Or just to get their work in. When Pedro pitched against the Blue Jays in Dunedin, Fla., last week, the numbers made it look like he might be tanking. Just setting us up for that Opening Night shutout against the Orioles.
At best, his performance in the opener was uneven. It looked like he'd be routed in the second, but he settled down nicely through the middle innings. Fifty-eight of his 93 pitches were strikes.
