SOX 8, INDIANS 3
Driving, a Mercedes
Class AAA catcher Yermin Mercedes belted a grand slam, a 400-foot plus shot to go with his even longer blast against the Dodgers Monday, to erase a 3-0 deficit. Mercedes connected against non-roster invitee Jared Robinson. While he hasn’t distinguished himself defensively, Mercedes is 5-for-9 in five games. He is pushing for a roster spot as a third catcher.
No. 3 overall draft pick Andrew Vaughn homered to left. Vaughn is also having a good start to the spring with a double, homer and two walks in eight plate appearances. Fellow first rounder Nick Madrigal went 0-for-3. He’s 2-for-12 with no strikeouts.
Dunning’s first live BP
Dane Dunning, a former first-round pick acquired from the Nationals along with Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez in the Adam Eaton trade, threw his first live batting practice session as he recovers from Tommy John surgery. Dunning faced Yoan Moncada and some minor leaguers.
“That was full go. I was getting after it,” Dunning said. “It was a controlled hard, but yes, everything was full go. It’s like that hump I just got over. It’s exciting for me because I know games are coming soon.”
On a day when Michael Kopech — who is ahead of Dunning in his return from TJ surgery — had another encouraging day off the mound moments before Dunning threw, pitching coach Don Cooper felt encouraged about what lies ahead.
“Michael and Dunning are throwing the ball well,” Cooper said. “Had you not known right this second they were in injured, you wouldn’t know.”
On the mound
The Sox (4-2-1) used all minor league and non-roster invitee pitchers. Right-hander Brady Lail struck out three over two scoreless innings. Zack Burdi pitched a scoreless inning with a walk and a strikeout.
On deck
Sox at Texas, Surprise, 2:05 p.m. Saturday, Drew Anderson vs. Jonathan Hernandez. After lefty prospect Bernardo Flores Sunday, regular starters will get starts. Dallas Keuchel Monday vs. Padres, Reynaldo Lopez Tuesday vs. A’s, Dylan Cease Wednesday at Brewers.
