PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- Hector Velazquez couldn't help but crack a smile during a 10-minute interview with a Spanish-language television network after his first big league spring outing in the Red Sox's 7-3 loss to the Rays on Sunday afternoon.
"These guys, I've watched them on TV, and to be here now today and playing for them, it's exciting," Velazquez said. "It's exciting to be part of this team."
The 28-year-old from Sonora, Mexico, faced trouble during the second inning after giving up a double to Tim Beckham and an RBI single to Jesus Sucre, but Velazquez recovered and struck out Justin Williams, Johnny Field and Daniel Robertson to end the inning.