by Jeff Horrigan
Boston Herald
Wednesday, April 17, 2002
TORONTO - It can't be said that winning 3-of-4 over the New York Yankees over the holiday weekend at Fenway Park made the Red Sox complacent.
Less than 18 hours after clearing Canadian customs and more than five hours before last night's scheduled first pitch against the Toronto Blue Jays, more than a dozen Boston players reported to SkyDome for extra work, including seven of the nine position players in the starting lineup.
While several in the group had the emaciated batting averages to merit the voluntary work, one player stood out for his inclusion. Not content with leading the team in virtually every offensive category, Shea Hillenbrand insisted on additional swings in the batting cage before the gates were opened.
The work paid off as he continued to be a horror to opposing pitchers and led the division-leading Sox to their most convincing win of the season, 14-3. Moved up to the second spot in the batting order for the second time this season, Hillenbrand went 2-for-4 with a home run, double, three RBI and three runs scored to extend his career-high hitting streak to 12 games and improve his average to .413.
``Everything he's doing now is turning into gold,'' said manager Grady Little. ``Things are going good for him, but he's making them happen.''
Manny Ramirez (3-for-4) also homered for the Sox, who scored in double figures for the first time since losing to Toronto on Opening Day.
Hillenbrand's confidence appears to be growing by the hour.
``I'm in a big comfort level right now,'' he said. ``Last year I didn't know what I was doing, but now I have a plan. I'm all business.''
Winning pitcher Frank Castillo said Hillenbrand should copyright the plan.
``I knew he had a lot of talent, but he's really turning it on,'' Castillo said. ``He's definitely a rising superstar with the way he's swinging the bat.''
With hundreds of vacationing New England schoolchildren providing a portable home-field advantage, the Sox jumped on Toronto pitcher Brandon Lyon (0-3) early to provide a nice cushion for Castillo. Castillo (1-0), who pitched well in his first two starts but failed to pick up a decision, held the Jays to three hits in six innings, while striking out three. Rolando Arrojo pitched three shaky innings to receive credit for his first save of the season.
The Sox, who were 8-2 at SkyDome last season, jumped ahead in the first inning and never trailed. Hillenbrand started things by lining a one-out double over the head of left fielder Shannon Stewart, extending his hitting streak to an even dozen. It is the longest streak for a Boston batter at the beginning of a season since Lee Tinsley hit safely in 14 straight in 1995.
Lyon bounced his first offering to next batter Nomar Garciaparra past catcher Darrin Fletcher, allowing Hillenbrand to advance to third base on the wild pitch. Garciaparra then pushed the first run across on a groundout to shortstop.
The Sox tacked on four more runs in the third inning to extend the lead to 5-0. Trot Nixon, Rey Sanchez and Johnny Damon (RBI) started things with consecutive singles before Hillenbrand lined a Lyon breaking ball into the left field seats. It was his fifth homer after hitting 12 in 139 games last season.
Castillo's only slip-up came in the third when he allowed a solo shot to Vernon Wells.
``The opposition can't hardly wait to face him, but then they're banging their heads against the wall when they've got that 0-for-4,'' Little said.