FORT MYERS, Fla. – Bobby Valentine still wasn’t happy even after Ryan Sweeney scored on a squeeze bunt in the ninth inning to give the Boston Red Sox a 4-4 tie against the rival New York Yankees on Thursday night.

“It was regretful that (Clayton) Mortensen warmed up, though, and then we were told they weren’t going to play an extra inning,” Valentine said. “I didn’t think that that was very courteous.”

Generally, spring training games that are tied are played through 10 innings, unless a team runs out of pitching.

Valentine scoffed at the idea the Yankees had run out of pitchers.

“They had plenty of pitching. Probably too long of a ride. They could have known that going in.

“No, they had plenty of pitching.”

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The Yankees used five pitchers, with seven remaining on their travel roster.

“Usually they (the umpires) talk about it if it’s a tie game, but they didn’t,” said Yankees Manager Joe Girardi. “And I used all our pitching and I just said that’s it. I just looked at (umpire) Tim Tschida and said that’s it.”

Valentine was informed the game was over as the umpires walked off the field.

“The umpire came over and said we couldn’t play,” Valentine said. “I don’t care about not playing. It’s just, you know, why do I have to warm up my pitcher who’s trying to make a team, come in in a tie game against the Yankees and maybe help him make a team and instead he has to walk off the mound to take a shower?”

Asked how it is generally determined to call a game early in a tie, Valentine responded:

“Usually you go over and say, ‘Hey, I don’t have any more (pitching). (Or) I have 10.,”‘ Valentine said. “I don’t know. I haven’t been around in a long time. Joe (Girardi) knows better than I. I guess you just walk off the field.

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“I’m sure (Girardi) didn’t do anything deliberate. It’s just I have to answer a pitcher who’s trying to make a team. Why use that bullpen?”

After being limited to two singles through seven innings, the Red Sox scored three runs on four hits in the eighth. They tied the game when Jason Repko’s squeeze scored Sweeney.

Right-hander Adam Warren, starting in place of David Phelps, whose wife went into labor, held the Red Sox scoreless over four innings.

Warren, who struck out three, allowed a pair of singles to David Ortiz and Sweeney in the second inning.

Aaron Cook started for the Red Sox. Making just his second Grapefruit League appearance, Cook went four innings, allowing two runs on four hits with two strikeouts.

Doug Bernier went 2 for 3 with two RBI, raising his spring average to .364 for New York. Curtis Granderson was 1 for 2 with a run scored and an RBI, giving him a .393 average this spring.

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Second baseman Dustin Pedroia left after striking out to end the second inning. He was hit in the right forearm with the pitch while swinging. The Red Sox announced he has a right forearm contusion.

NOTES: Yankees SS Derek Jeter is set to play today after missing more than a week with a stiff left calf. …

Yankees opening day starter CC Sabathia allowed one run and five hits over six innings in a minor league game. The left-hander struck out four, walked one and threw just 65 pitches. …

Valentine said RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka, who has not pitched since May 16 and underwent Tommy John surgery, could return as early as June 1.

 


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