RED SOX GAME NOTES

Boston Red Sox (16-12-2) vs. (13-15-3) Saturday, April 4, 2015 • 1:05 p.m. • Hammond • Fort Myers, FL

CLOSING IT OUT: Today Boston plays its 31st and fi nal ROSTER MOVES: Yesterday the Red Sox optioned RHPs game of the spring against a major league opponent...32 and to -A Pawtucket, CURRENTLY IN CAMP: Boston cur- Grapefruit League contests were scheduled over a 31-day reassigned LHP Dana Eveland to minor league camp, and rently has 35 players in Major League span from 3/5-4/4, and 1 was cancelled (3/23 vs. STL due to placed RHP on the 15-day DL (retro to 3/27) with Spring Training Camp, including 6 unplayable fi eld conditions). a right biceps strain. non-roster invitees and 2 players on The club went 8-7 in its 15 completed home games and the DL...The breakdown: 16 (1 TOMORROW IN PHILLY: Tomorrow, starter has an 8-5-2 mark in 15 road contests thus far...The invitee, 1 DL), 5 (2 invitees, 1 and and will be avail- Sox began the exhibition season with a doubleheader DL), 8 infi elders (2 invitees), and 6 out- able separately to credentialed media members in the sweep of Boston College and Northeastern University fi elders (1 invitee). media interview room at at 2:30 p.m. on 3/3...The club’s only Grapefruit League off-day and 2:45 p.m., respectively...The media interview room is came on Wednesday 3/25. located on the service level behind home plate, between HOW THEY WERE OBTAINED ON THE AIR: Today’s spring training fi nale will be televised the home and visiting clubhouses...Additionally, the Red RED SOX 40-MAN ROSTER on NESN and carried on WEEI Radio on 93.7 FM. Sox clubhouse will open to credentialed media for a period Amateur Draft Picks (11+1 60-day DL): of 30 minutes from approximately 4:30-5:00 p.m. Barnes (2011-1st round), Betts (2011-5th HOME SWEET: Last night’s game marked Boston’s fi nal Media can enter the ballpark beginning at 2:00 p.m. round), Bradley Jr. (2011-compensation contest of the spring at JetBlue Park...The club sold out through the Staff & Media Entrance located on Darien round), Brentz (2010-compensation round), each of its 15 completed home Grapefruit League games Street (east side of the ballpark). Buchholz (2005-compensation round), Cec- this spring -- with a total attendance of 148,862 -- as well chini (2010-4th round), Coyle (2010-3rd as all 63 Grapefruit League games in the park’s history dat- IT CAN HAPPEN AGAIN: In 2015, the Red Sox will at- round), Pedroia (2004-2nd round), Shaw ing back to 2012...The average attendance of 9,924 set a tempt to repeat their worst-to-fi rst championship of (2011-9th round), Swihart (2011-1st round), new Red Sox record for Grapefruit League play. 2013...That year, the Red Sox joined the 1991 Twins as the Vazquez (2008-9th round), Workman (2010- After today’s game, the team will return to JetBlue only teams ever to win a one season after fi n- 2nd round). Park before departing for . ishing in last place. By Trade (14): Craig (From Cardinals, July In fact, the last six World Series Champions missed the 2014), Escobar (From Giants, July 2014), GRAPEFRUIT STAND: The Red Sox are 16-12-2 (.571) in playoffs the previous year, including the 2014 Giants, Hanigan (From Padres, Dec. 2014), Hembree Grapefruit League play, 4th in the GL standings...The 16 2013 Red Sox, 2012 Giants, 2011 Cardinals, 2010 (From Giants, July 2014), Holt (From Pirates, wins are 5 more than their 2014 GL total (11-17-2)...The Giants, and 2009 Yankees...In addition, the 2008 Rays Dec. 2012), Kelly (From Cardinals, July 2014), club has won 5 of its last 7 decisions, and 6 of its last 9. made it to the postseason after a 66-96 fi nish in 2007 Leon (from Nationals, March 2015), Miley Boston has won 16 of its last 28 games (.571) (Credit: Elias Sports Bureau). (From Diamondbacks, Dec. 2014), Porcello beginning with a 7-game winning streak over 6 days (From Tigers, Dec. 2014), Rodriguez (From from 3/7-12...The win streak was Boston’s longest in AT THE HELM: John Farrell returns in 2015 for his 3rd sea- Orioles, July 2014), Ross Jr. (From Rangers, spring training since a 7-gamer in 2009...The club last son as Red Sox Manager...He guided the Red Sox to the Jan. 2015), Spruill (From Diamondbacks, Dec. produced a longer win streak in spring training with a World Series title in 2013, his 1st year as skipper, when he 2014), Varvaro (From Braves, Dec. 2014), 9-game tear in 1981 (Source: Bill Nowlin – SABR). was runner up for the AL Manager of the Year Award...In Wright (From Indians, July 2012). 2 years at the helm of the Red Sox, he is 168-156 (.519). Free Agents (12): Breslow (Jan. 2015), Layne CHAIRMAN’S CUP CHAMPS: The Red Sox secured the On 2/21, the Red Sox extended Farrell’s contract (Nov. 2013), Masterson (Dec. 2014), Mujica 2015 Chairman’s Cup (formerly Mayor’s Cup) with Thurs- through the 2017 season with a club option for 2018. (Dec. 2013), Napoli (Jan. 2013), Nava (Jan. day night’s 8-5 victory at the Twins...Including last night’s 2008), Ogando (Jan. 2015), Ortiz (Jan. 2003), 5-2 loss, Boston holds a 5-2-1 advantage in this spring’s COACHING CREW: The Red Sox hired as major Ramirez (Nov. 2014), Sandoval (Nov. 2014), 9-game series with the fi nal game remaining. league hitting in October...The addition of Davis, who Uehara (Oct. 2014), Victorino (Dec. 2012). This cross-county rivalry, in its 23rd season, is now returns to the Red Sox organization after serving as hitting International Free Agents (3): Bogaerts tied 11-11-1...Boston has lost just 1 of the last 9 Cup coach for Triple-A Pawtucket in 2011, marks the club’s only (Aug. 2009), Castillo (Aug. 2014), Tazawa titles, taking 7 of those series and tying once...Prior major league coaching staff change from 2014. (Dec. 2008). this 8-year stretch, the Twins won 10 of the fi rst 14 returns as Bench Coach, as series from 1993-2006...Minnesota hold a 65-63-2 Pitching Coach, Brian Butterfi eld as Third Base Coach, 2014 RED SOX AT A GLANCE advantage in the individual spring games between as First Base Coach, Victor Rodriguez these clubs since the start of 1993. as Assistant Hitting Coach, and Dana LeVangie as FINAL RECORD: 71-91 (.438) Coach -- all joining Farrell for their 3rd season 5TH IN AL EAST, 25.0 GB BAL YESTERDAY’S RECAP: Boston dropped a 5-2 decision in their current roles. HOME: 34-47; ROAD: 37-44 last night at in the JetBlue Park fi nale...All the scoring was complete after the Twins tallied 2 runs in the top of the 5th. PROSPECTING: This week, ranked Bos- 2015 RED SOX started and took the loss, allowing all 5 ton’s farm system as the second best in baseball, trailing GRAPEFRUIT LEAGUE LEADERS Twins runs while fanning 7 in 4.2 ...4 relievers only the Cubs...Boston also ranked second entering 2014. combined for scoreless relief: Anthony Varvaro (1.1 With the addition of Cuban infi elder Yoan Moncada, BATTING IP), Edward Mujica (1.0 IP), (1.0 IP), who was signed to a minor league contract on 3/12, Runs ...... 15, Betts and Tommy Layne (1.0 IP). Boston now boasts a major league-leading 8 players Hits ...... 24, Betts on Baseball America’s 2015 Top 100 Prospects List: Doubles ...... 8, Betts Boston took a lead in the 2nd when Pablo Triples...... 2, Betts Sandoval (1-for-2, R, 2B) scored form 3rd base on a Moncada (10), (18), Rusney Castillo (22), Henry Owens (45), Eduardo Rodriguez (60), Home Runs ...... 6, Napoli by (1-for-2, RBI)... RBI ...... 12, Ramirez (1-for-2, R, HR, RBI) went deep for the 6th time this Manuel Margot (73), Brian Johnson (83), and (100). Walks ...... 11, Holt spring and the 2nd time in as many days, hitting a Stolen Bases ...... 6, Holt & Weeks solo shot in the 4th inning. DAVID IS BOSTON: With the offseason trade of Jimmy AVG ...... 444, Betts BETTS IS ON: , who has safely in 15 of Rollins from the Phillies to the Dodgers, the active players OBP ...... 488, Napoli 18 Grapefruit League games this spring, leads Grapefruit with the longest continuous tenure for any MLB team are SLG ...... 921, Napoli League qualifi ers with a .444 AVG and .778 SLG, and 1.261 now with Boston and with Philly, (min. 30 AB for AVG, OBP, SLG) OPS...He also tops the GL in extra-base hits (12), total bases who debuted for those teams in 2003. PITCHING (42), and doubles (tied, 8). Ortiz’s 1,656 games for the Red Sox are the most Wins ...... 3, Wright among active players for any single team, as are his Saves ...... 1, 6 players CLAY’S DAY: Clay Buchholz will start for the Red Sox 408 HR with Boston. Games ...... 9, Eveland & Layne on Opening Day, facing PHI’s Cole Hamels on Monday at Innings ...... 20.0, Johnson Citizens Bank Park...This marks Buchholz’s fi rst such assign- JETBLUE PARK: The Red Sox are concluding their 4th ...... 23, Johnson ment...He has started the club’s second (2013), third (2011- spring at the Fenway South Spring Training and Player De- ERA ...... 2.57, Porcello 12), fi fth (2014), and 6th (2008, 2010) games. velopment Complex in Fort Myers, FL since moving here in (min. 10.0 IP for ERA) will start the second game of the season, 2012...The complex’s main fi eld, JetBlue Park, mimics the opposing Aaron Harang on Wednesday...Justin playing dimensions of in Boston, including a in left fi eld...JetBlue Park’s total capacity is MEDIA GUIDE: The 2015 Boston Red Masterson will start the 3rd game in Philadelphia Sox Media Guide is accessible online at on Thursday, with the Phillies’ third starter yet to be approximately 11,000, with 9,900 fi xed seats. http://pressroom.redsox.com. announced. UPCOMING SCHEDULE AND PROBABLE PITCHING MATCHUPS DATE OPP. TIME RED SOX PITCHERS OPPOSING PITCHERS Sat., 4/4 at MIN 1:05 p.m. RHP , LHP Robbie Ross Jr. RHP Kyle Gibson, LHP Glen Perkins, RHP Casey Fien, RHP Blaine Boyer Mon., 4/6 at PHI 3:05 p.m. RHP Clay Buchholz (0-0, ---) LHP Cole Hamels (0-0, ---) Wed., 4/8 at PHI 7:05 p.m. RHP Rick Porcello (0-0, ---) RHP Aaron Harang (0-0, ---) Thur., 4/9 at PHI 7:05 p.m. RHP Justin Masterson (0-0, ---) TBA

Boston Red Sox Media Relations Department http://pressroom.redsox.com Twitter @BostonRedSoxPR Red Sox Game Notes Page 2 2015 SPRING TRAINING SCHEDULE/RESULTS

DATE OPPONENT SITE RESULT RECORD WIN LOSS ATT. Tues., March 3 NORTHEASTERN JetBlue Park W 2-1 (8) --- BOGGS Perry --- 7,821 BOSTON COLLEGE JetBlue Park W 1-0 --- ESCOBAR Murphy HINOJOSA --- Thurs., March 5 Minnesota Lee County (Hammond) L 8-9 0-1 Fien JOHNSON Thompson 8,324 Fri., March 6 JetBlue Park L 3-5 0-2 Hand OWENS Claiborne 9,830 Sat., March 7 Baltimore Sarasota W 7-6 1-2 WRIGHT Norris CELESTINO 8,526 MINNESOTA JetBlue Park W 4-2 2-2 BUCHHOLZ Pelfrey RAMIREZ 9,747 Sun., March 8 Port St. Lucie W 6-3 3-2 JOHNSON Robles COUCH 7,733 Mon., March 9 St. Louis Jupiter W 3-0 4-2 MUJICA Lyons BARNES 7,662 Tue., March 10 TAMPA BAY (SS) JetBlue Park W 5-1 5-2 MASTERSON Andriese --- 10,156 Wed., March 11 Tampa W 10-6 6-2 KELLY Mitchell --- 10,770 Thurs., March 12 Bradenton W 5-1 7-2 BUCHHOLZ Burnett --- 8,455 Fri., March 13 NEW YORK YANKEES JetBlue Park L 3-5 7-3 Warren HINOJOSA Lindgren 9,659 Sat., March 14 PITTSBURGH JetBlue Park L 2-5 7-4 Richard BARNES Lincoln 9,770 Sun., March 15 Philadelphia (SS) Clearwater L 4-11 7-5 Papelbon MASTERSON --- 9,815 Mon., March 16 NEW YORK METS JetBlue Park W 4-3 8-5 MUJICA Mazzoni --- 10,024 Tues., March 17 ATLANTA JetBlue Park L 3-11 8-6 Miller BUCHHOLZ --- 9,957 Wed., March 18 MINNESOTA (SS) JetBlue Park W 3-2 9-6 RODRIGUEZ Thompson HEMBREE 9,950 Thurs., March 19 Toronto Dunedin L 3-6 9-7 Sanchez OWENS Jenkins 5,545 Fri., March 20 BALTIMORE JetBlue Park L 5-11 9-8 Johnson BOGGS --- 9,981 Sat., March 21 Pittsburgh Bradenton T 2-2 9-8-1 ------8,963 Sun., March 22 PHILADELPHIA JetBlue Park W 7-6 10-8-1 WRIGHT Williams Spruill 9,869 Mon., March 23 ST. LOUIS JetBlue Park Cancelled due to unplayable conditions Tues., March 24 Miami Jupiter L 4-9 10-9-1 Crow OWENS --- 6,619 Thurs., March 26 MINNESOTA JetBlue Park W 5-4 (10) 11-9-1 TAZAWA Reed --- 10,003 Fri., March 27 Atlanta Disney L 2-4 (7) 11-10-1 Teheran BUCHHOLZ Cornely 9,893 Sat., March 28 Tampa Bay Port Charlotte W 9-6 12-10-1 WRIGHT Karns --- 7,030 Sun., March 29 TAMPA BAY JetBlue Park W 3-2 (10) 13-10-1 TODD Thompson --- 9,916 Mon., March 30 MINNESOTA JetBlue Park W 14-2 14-10-1 MASTERSON Johnson --- 10,064 Tues., March 31 Tampa Bay (SS) Port Charlotte W 11-8 15-10-1 COUCH Reavis --- 4,991 Wed., April 1 TORONTO JetBlue Park L 9-7 15-11-1 Hynes HINOJOSA Browning 9,849 Minnesota Lee County (Hammond) T 4-4 15-11-2 ------6,596 Thurs., April 2 Minnesota Lee County (Hammond) W 8-5 16-11-2 BRESLOW Graham --- 7,259 Fri., April 3 MINNESOTA JetBlue Park L 5-2 16-12-2 Nolasco JOHNSON Johnson 10,087

DATE OPPONENT SITE TIME TV/RADIO Saturday, April 4 Minnesota Lee County (Hammond) 1:05 p.m. TV/Radio (SS) - Split Squad TV - Game Telecast on NESN ESPN - Game Telecast on ESPN MLBN - Game Telecast on MLB Network Radio - Game Broadcast on WEEI 93.7 FM Radio# - Game Broadcast on WEEI 850 AM Home Games at JetBlue Park at Fenway South in Lee County, Florida TODAY’S RED SOX PITCHERS at MIN

63-JUSTIN MASTERSON, RHP 2-1, 3.50 ERA, 5 appearances (5 starts) DATE OPP DEC IP H R ER BB SO 2015 SPRING TRAINING: Will make his team-leading 6th Grapefruit League start...Has logged the 3/6 MIA - 2.0 1 1 0 1 0 2nd-most innings (18.0) by a Red Sox this spring, trailing only Clay Buchholz (19.0)...Is 2-0 with 3/10 TB W 3.0 0 0 0 0 4 a 0.61 ERA (1 ER/14.2 IP) at JetBlue Park, compared to an 0-1 record and 16.20 ERA (6 ER/3.1 IP) on the 3/15 at PHI L 3.1 7 6 6 2 0 3/20 BAL - 4.0 4 1 1 2 1 road...Credited with the win on 3/30 vs. MIN (5.2 IP, 0 ER)...Started for Single-A Greenville on the back 3/30 MIN W 5.2 5 1 0 1 4 fi elds at Fenway South on 3/25, tossing 4.0 scoreless frames following a 4-run 1st inning...Tagged with the loss on 3/15 at PHI after surrendering 6 runs on 7 hits (2 HR) in 3.1 IP...Before facing the Phillies, held opponents hitless for 4.0 straight IP, retiring 11 consecutive batters...Pitched 3.0 perfect innings on 3/10 vs. TB (4 SO), earning the win...Is holding ML opponents to a .250 AVG (17-for-68) this spring. DATE OPP DEC IP H R ER BB SO 28-ROBBIE ROSS JR., LHP 0-0, 2.84 ERA, 6 appearances 3/6 MIA - 1.0 3 1 1 1 1 2015 SPRING TRAINING: Has retired 17 of his last 18 batters faced (.056 opponent AVG, 6 SO), 3/8 at NYM - 1.0 3 1 1 0 0 including 13 straight before allowing a 7th-inning, 2-out single to on 3/30 vs. MIN...Worked 3/21 at PIT - 1.0 0 0 0 0 1 3/24 at MIA - 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 a perfect 6th inning (1 SO) on 4/2 at MIN...Recorded 2 SO in a fl awless frame on 3/27 at ATL, his 3rd 3/27 at ATL - 1.0 0 0 0 0 2 consecutive perfect relief outing (3/21-27)...Has not issued a walk in 6 straight games...Made his spring 3/30 MIN - 1.1 1 0 0 0 2 debut on 3/6 vs. MIA, allowing 1 ER on 3 H, 1 BB in 1.0 IP. 4/2 at MIN - 1.0 0 0 0 0 1

DEFENSIVE INNINGS - “A” GAMES

PLAYER C 1B 2B 3B SS LF CF RF TOTAL PLAYER C 1B 2B 3B SS LF CF RF TOTAL PLAYER C 1B 2B 3B SS LF CF RF TOTAL Allday 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 3 8 Hernandez 0 0 0 0 7 0 0 0 7 Rijo 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 Asuaje 0 0 11 0 0 0 0 0 11 Holt 0 12 25 18 30 7 4 3 99 Rodriguez 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 Berry 0 0 0 0 0 20 14 8 42 LaHair 0 16 0 0 0 6 0 0 22 Roof 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 Betts 0 0 0 0 0 0 98 0 98 Leon 18 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 18 Sandoval 0 0 0 92 0 0 0 0 92 Bianchi 0 0 53 13 20 0 0 0 86 Lin 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 2 Shaw 0 41 0 0 0 0 0 0 41 Bogaerts 0 0 0 0 113 0 0 0 113 Margot 0 0 0 0 0 1 13 2 16 Spring 35 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 35 Bradley Jr. 0 0 0 0 0 0 91 11 102 Marrero 0 0 0 0 76 0 0 0 76 Sturgeon 0 0 0 0 0 2 8 6 16 Brentz 0 0 0 0 0 41 0 28 69 Martinez 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 3 Swihart 69 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 69 Castillo 0 0 0 0 0 0 19 33 52 Miller 0 0 11 13 3 0 0 0 27 Tavarez 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 6 8 Cecchini 0 0 0 47 0 0 0 0 47 Montz 1 20 0 0 0 0 0 0 21 Tejeda 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 2 Chester 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 Napoli 0 78 0 0 0 0 0 0 78 Tekotte 0 0 0 0 0 19 14 6 39 Coyle 0 0 13 16 0 0 0 0 29 Nava 0 27 0 0 0 22 0 41 90 Travis 0 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 13 Craig 0 43 0 5 0 30 0 0 78 Ortiz 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Vazquez 26 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 26 Gragnani 0 0 15 5 0 0 0 0 20 Pedroia 0 0 87 0 0 0 0 0 87 Victorino 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 78 78 Guerra 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 3 Quintero 52 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 52 Weeks 0 5 42 52 5 0 0 0 104 Hanigan 64 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 64 Ramirez 0 0 0 0 0 102 0 0 102 Wilkerson 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 1 5 Heller 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 14 18 Ramos 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 16 18 Witte 0 4 0 3 0 0 0 0 7

2015 SPRING TRANSACTIONS

March 18 INFs Sean Coyle and Travis Shaw optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket...RHPs Miguel Celestino, Keith Couch, and Noe Ramirez, and 1B/OF Bryan LaHair reassigned to minor league camp. March 20 LHP Eduardo Rodriguez and C Blake Swihart optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket. March 26 OF , 3B/OF Garin Cecchini, and RHPs and Zeke Spruill optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket...LHP Henry Owens reassigned to minor league camp...RHP Mitchell Boggs released. March 30 C Sandy Leon acquired from Washington Nationals in exchange for cash considerations...C Christian Vazquez placed on 60-day DL with a right elbow sprain. March 31 RHP Felipe Paulino released. April 2 OFs Jackie Bradley Jr. and Rusney Castillo optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket...RHP Dalier Hinojosa, SS , and C Matt Spring reassigned to minor league camp. April 3 RHPs Matt Barnes and Brandon Workman optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket...LHP Dana Eveland reassigned to minor league camp...RHP Joe Kelly placed on 15-day DL (retroactive to March 27) with a right biceps strain. Red Sox Game Notes OPENING DAY PREVIEW Monday, April 6, 2015 • 3:05 p.m. ET Citizens Bank Park • Philadelphia, PA RHP Clay Buchholz (0-0, ---) vs. LHP Cole Hamels (0-0, ---) Game #1 • Road Game #1

OPENING DAY: Boston opens its 115th season on Monday against the Phillies in Philadelphia at Citizens Bank Park. RED SOX OPENING DAY RESULTS IN PHILADELPHIA RED SOX The Red Sox are 55-58-1 (.487) all-time on Opening Day (excluding G2 of twinbills YEAR OPPONENT SCORE STARTER LOCATION in 1903, 1948, and 1982)...Boston has lost 3 of its last 4 regular season debuts but 2015 Phillies (NL) --- Clay Buchholz Citizens Bank Park has taken 4 of 7 beginning in 2008, and 5 of the club’s last 9 starting in 2006. 1954 Athetics (AL) L 4-6 Stadium The Sox lost last year’s opener, 2-1, on 3/30/14 at BAL...It was the 10th time in the 1953+ Athetics (AL) W 11-6 Mel Parnell Connie Mack Stadium last 30 years that Boston pitching held opponents to 2 runs or fewer, but just the 1949+ Athetics (AL) L 2-3 2nd such game that the Sox lost (also 2-1 at BAL in 2001). 1943+ Athetics (AL) W 1-0 Shibe Park 1937+ Athetics (AL) W 11-5 Shibe Park HITTING THE ROAD: This is the 75th time overall that the Red Sox have opened the 1925 Athetics (AL) L 8-9 Alex Furguson Shibe Park regular season on the road and 5th year in a row (2011 at TEX, 2012 at DET, 2013 at 1915 Athetics (AL) L 0-2 Shibe Park NYY, 2014 at BAL). 1909* Athetics (AL) L 1-8 Shibe Park 1907 Athetics (AL) W 8-4 The Sox are 32-41-1 (.438) all-time the 74 times they have started on the road, 1905 Athetics (AL) L 2-3 Cy Young Columbia Park having lost 3 of their last 4, with the win coming at in 2013 (8-2). Note: All previous Red Sox season openers in Philadelphia came against the Including 2015, Boston has opened on the road 17 of the last 20 seasons beginning Philadelphia Athletics of the American League. in 1996 with a 7-9 record in those games...In that span they opened at home in 2002 and again in 2009 and 2010, which was the 1st time the Sox hosted Opening *First game played at Shibe Park (later Connie Mack Stadium). Day in back-to-back seasons since 1994-95. +Not the Athletics’ fi rst game of the season in 1937, 1943, 1949, and 1953.

CLAY’S DAY: Clay Buchholz is making his fi rst career Opening Day start...He has previously started the Red Sox’ second (2013), third (2011-12), fi fth (2014), and 6th (2008, 2010) games...He is aiming to become the fi rst Red Sox pitcher to win his fi rst career Opening Day start since Pedro Martinez in 1998 at OAK. The last Red Sox pitcher to start the club’s opener one season after starting the team’s 5th game was , who started Game 5 of the 1987 season immediately preceding a run of 7 straight Opening Day starts from 1988-94. The Red Sox won each of the past 4 times their had never before served as an Opening Day starter for any team: in 2008, Pedro Martinez in 1998, in 1997, and in 1995...The last such loss came in Roger Clemens’ fi rst Opening Day start in 1988. Buchholz, 30, joins (started Game 1 of the 1987 season at 32 years old) as the only Red Sox pitchers since 1960 that were at least 30 years old at the time of their fi rst MLB Opening Day starts.

BROTHERLY BEGINNINGS: This will be Boston’s fi rst season opening against the Phillies...The club has previously opened in the City of Brotherly Love on 10 occasions (4-6), all against the Philadelphia Athletics, last 61 years ago at Connie Mack Stadium on 4/13/54, the last year Philadelphia had an AL team. Boston played the Athletics in the fi rst-ever game at Philadelphia’s Shibe Park (later Connie Mack Stadium) on 4/12/1909, an 8-1 Red Sox loss. These clubs will meet 3 more times during 2015, all in Boston from 9/4-6...The Red Sox lead the all-time Interleague series, 31-22.

FITTING BEGINNINGS (& ENDINGS): This year marks the 100th anniversary of the 1915 season, in which the Red Sox opened in Philadelphia facing the Athletics (2-0 loss) and wrapped up a 4-games-to-1 World Series championship with a 5-4 win over the Phillies on 10/13/15 on the road at Philadelphia’s Baker Bowl...For Thursday’s series fi nale, both teams will wear throwback hats mimicing their 1915 designs.

NATIONAL DEBUTS: This marks Boston’s fi rst ever season-opening game against a opponent...In fact, this is the only Interleague series at the start of MLB's 2015 regular season schedule...It marks the 3rd straight year that AL and NL teams have faced off for their fi rst games of a season (LAA won 3-1 at CIN in 2013; PHI won 14-10 over TEX in 2014) after it had never been done before...Boston also begins its home slate against the NL, facing the Nationals from 4/13-15.

DAVID AND CHASE: With the offseason trade of from the Phillies to the Dodgers, the active players with the longest continuous tenure for any MLB team are now David Ortiz with Boston and Chase Utley with Philly, both of whom debuted for those teams in 2003. Ortiz’s 1,656 games for the Red Sox are the most among active players for any single team, as are his 408 HR with Boston...In fact, Ortiz is one of only 25 players all-time to hit at least 400 HR for a single franchise, and the only active player to do it.

OPENING LEFT: Including 2015, 4 of Boston’s last 6 opposing Opening Day starters have been lefties, last in 2013 when Boston defeated CC Sabathia 8-2 at NYY. This is just the 8th time since 1988 that Boston has faced a left-handed starter on Opening Day...In the previous 7 matchups during this 27-year stretch, NYY’s was the only lefty to earn a win over the Red Sox on Opening Day, with 6.0 innings of 1-run ball at Yankee Stadium on 4/3/05.

ORTIZ’S 10: David Ortiz has served as the Red Sox’ Opening Day DH 10 times from 2004-12 and 2014 (began 2013 on the DL)...His 10 Opening Day starts for Boston tie and Dom DiMaggio for 8th on the club’s all-time list (see chart)...His 10 previous Opening Day starts lead active Red Sox. Ortiz’s 10 Opening Day starts with BOS are also the most ever as a Red Sox DH, 7 ahead of the next highest on the list (, 3)...This year he could pass Edgar Martinez (10 with SEA) and Hal McRae (10 with KC) for the most Opening Day starts at DH with any single team. Overall, Ortiz has made 12 career Opening Day starts, all at DH, including 2 with the Twins (2001-02)...His 13th Opening Day start at DH overall would surpass (12 from 1977-88) for the all-time record.

...NEXT ON THE LIST: ranks 2nd on the current team with 8 career Opening Day starts for the Red Sox, all at 2B from 2007-14...He has the 2nd-most Opening Day starts at 2B in club history after (13)...No other current Red Sox made an Opening Day start for the club prior to 2013, with (SS in 2014), Mike Napoli (1B in 2013 and 2014), (RF in 2014), and Shane Victorino (RF in 2013) doing it over the last 2 years.

IGNITION EXPERT: Pedroia has hit in all 8 career openers from 2007-14 (.394, 13-for-33, 2 2B, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 2 BB)...He is the only Red Sox since at least 1914 to record a hit in his fi rst 8 season openers, all in consecutive years...Pedroia is 1 of 3 in MLB with a hit on Opening Day in all 8 years from 2007-14 (, Jimmy Rollins)...Overall, it is the longest Opening Day hit streak by a Red Sox since ’s 13 from 1968-1980.

OPENING LEADERS: Carl Yastrzemski has hit a team-record 6 Opening Day homers… is next (5), followed by Jim Rice and (3 each)... David Ortiz (2006, 2011) and Dustin Pedroia (2009, 2010) are tied with 9 others with 2 (Source: David Vincent – SABR)...No other current Red Sox have gone deep for Boston in the club’s 1st regular season game. Overall, Ortiz has homered on 4 different Opening Days, the most among active players... also has 4 Opening Day homers, but hit them over 2 Opening Day games, with 2 long balls each in the 2006 and 2010 openers (Source: David Vincent – SABR).

YOUTH AT THE START: At 22 years old, Mookie Betts could become Boston’s youngest Opening Day leadoff hitter since , who topped the 1965 club’s Opening Day at the age of 21...Betts would also be Boston’s youngest Opening Day centerfi elder since manned the position at 19 years old in 1964...Last year, a 21-year-old Xander Bogaerts became the Red Sox’ youngest Opening Day SS in a century (, 21 in 1914). Betts (10/7/92) and Xander Bogaerts (10/1/92), born within the span of a week, could become the fi rst pair of Red Sox MOST OPENING DAY STARTS BY POSITION MOST OPENING DAY STARTS OVERALL Opening Day starters under the age of 23 in 48 years, since IN RED SOX HISTORY, 1901-2014 IN RED SOX HISTORY, 1901-2014 22-year-olds Tony Conigliaro (RF) and (2B) RHP Roger Clemens 8 22 Carl Yastrzemski started in the club’s 1967 opener. LHP Mel Parnell 4 17 Dwight Evans In the last 100 years, the only time Boston started players that C 10 14 Jim Rice young at both up-the-middle positions, SS and CF, was 1953 1B George Scott, 7 13 Bobby Doerr, with 22-year-olds SS Milt Bolling and CF Tom Umphlett. 2B Bobby Doerr 13 Ted Williams 3B Wade Boggs 10 12 Rico Petrocelli The 1998 Marlins were the last major league team with SS Everett Scott 8 11 Opening Day starters 22 or younger at both SS (Edgar Renteria, LF Carl Yastrzemski 15 10 Wade Boggs, 21) and CF (Mark Kotsay, 22)...Before that, it hadn’t been done CF Dom DiMaggio 9 David Ortiz since the 1989 Mariners’ Opening Day lineup included CF Ken RF Dwight Evans 14 Dom DiMaggio, Griffey Jr. (19) and SS (21). DH David Ortiz 10 Jason Varitek