FORT MYERS, Fla. • The Boston Red Sox greeted Luke Weaver and his first start of spring training with a lineup that had the first six spots filled by hitters who could see those spots in the regular season.
There wasn't a J.D. Martinez, the newest $100-million man, or Dustin Pedroia, the former MVP, but through the first 2/3 of the Sox lineup for Tuesday there was a major-leaguer.
Weaver held it to one run, unearned.
He invited trouble, and then quashed it, and the Cardinals went on to a 6-1 victory. Lefty Austin Gomber followed Weaver with two scoreless innings, then five Cardinals relievers followed with one scoreless inning apiece.