One-Card Wonder Pt. 37: Pedro Ciriaco

What is even worse than the fact that Pedro Ciriaco only has one card issued with the Red Sox (other than parallels) is that you can not even tell if he is wearing a Red Sox uniform in his one card.  In fact it is very likely that this picture shows Ciriaco wearing a Pirates road uniform though he only played in 31 games with the Pirates over two seasons.

Ciriaco was signed as a minor league free agent in January 2012.  No one knew it at the time, but Ciriaco would make an impact on the Red Sox in the Majors.  Due to a rash of injuries and short-sightedly trading both Jed Lowrie and Marco Scutaro, Boston had need of a utility infielder, particularly after trading Nick Punto to the Dodgers.  Ciriaco provided depth by playing second, short, and third and also playing all three outfield positions at least twice.  He ended up playing in 76 games for the Red Sox and was basically a regular player after his call-up in July.

Despite playing in 76 games, Ciriaco provided a spark by being second on the team in stolen bases (16).  He managed to produce a decent batting line, despite only walking eight times all season.  Ciriaco hit .293/.315/.390 and picked up 15 doubles, two triples, and two home runs.  He was particularly effective against the Yankees, against whom he had two four-hit games and two three-hit games.

Ciriaco returned for the 2013 season but only made it into 28 games before he was shipped off to San Diego.  His numbers declined significantly and he was replaced by Brock Holt and Jose Iglesias.  Ciriaco bounced around after that and last played in the Majors with the Braves in 2015 for whom he appeared in a career-high 84 games.

Red Sox Win 3 out of 4 Against Old Manager's Team

The Red Sox had a four game set against the Cleveland Indians in Terry Francona's return to Fenway Park.  The Indians had been playing very well of late so this was a pretty good matchup.

05/23:  Indians 12 Red Sox 3 (28-20)
Ryan Dempster only lasted three innings, giving up four runs and Clayton Mortenson and Alex Wilson did not fare much better.  By the time Boston handed the ball to the reliable Craig Breslow, Junichi Tazawa, and Andrew Miller, the damage was done.  David Ortiz hit a three run home run to provide all of the offense.

PLAYER OF THE GAME:

DAVID ORTIZ:  1 for 3, three run home run

05/24:  Red Sox 8 (29-20) Indians 1
John Lackey was very strong and Mike Carp hit a three-run home run to put Boston ahead in the second inning and they never relinquished.

PLAYER OF THE GAME:

JOHN LACKEY:  Win, 7 innings, 2 hits, 3 walks, 8 strikeouts, unearned run

05/25:  Red Sox 7 (30-20) Indians 4
Jon Lester has been slumping a bit of late.  He gave up four runs and Boston was down 4-3 going into the bottom of the eighth when they plated four runs.  Mike Carp drove in the tying run then scored the go-ahead run on Dustin Pedroia's double.

PLAYER OF THE GAME:

PEDRO CIRIACO:  3 for 4, run, RBI, double

05/26:  Red Sox 6 (31-20) Indians 5
Felix Doubront struggled through the first two innings and Boston was down 5-2 going into the bottom of the ninth inning when Indians closer Chris Perez imploded, allowing Boston to come to within one run and have the bases loaded.  Perez then got hurt and was taken out for Joe Smith who gave up a two-run walkoff double to Jacoby Ellsbury on the first pitch.

PLAYER OF THE GAME:

JACOBY ELLSBURY:  2 for 5, 2 run game-winning double, stolen base

Pack Breaks 03/14/2013 and Game Summaries 03/10-03/14

I am going to start posting my latest pack breaks.  I used to do this regularly a while ago, but it's time to keep it up.  I like buying packs and getting good cards out of them  It is very satisfying to get a good Red Sox card, unfortunately it is also very rare.

Today on my way back to my office from Court, I stopped off at Target to try my hand at a blaster of 2013 Heritage.  I like Heritage pretty well because Topps puts in some efforts to put a lot of different players in the set and it is usually the first one featuring players in new uniforms.

Today, I got two Red Sox:
155 Red Sox Sockers featuring Will Middlebrooks and David Ortiz.  This is an homage to the 1964 card with Chuck Schilling and Carl Yastrzemski.

385 Pedro Ciriaco.  This one is my favorite of the two.  There are tons of Ortiz cards and a steadily increasing number of Middlebrooks cards, but I really like cards of lesser-known players.  This is the first Red Sox card of Ciriaco.

I also actually got a jersey card today, something that has become increasingly rare.  Frustratingly it is a Rangers jersey card of Mike Napoli.  Oh if only he had signed his contract with the Red Sox sooner.  Then this might be a Red Sox card.

03/10/2013
Red Sox 6 Rays 2
John Lackey was a little hittable in this one but still got the win.  He could surprise some people this year.

Player of the Game:  David Ross (1 for 3, 3 run home run).

03/11/2013
Marlins 8 Red Sox 7
Boston blew a big lead with Rubby De La Rosa and Chris Carpenter taking beatings.  It outshined a decent offensive day which featured home runs by Mike Carp, Will Middlebrooks, and Jackie Bradley Jr.

Player of the Game:  Jackie Bradley Jr. (3 for 4, run, 2 RBIs, home run, double)

03/12/2013
Red Sox 5 Blue Jays 3
Clay Buchholz is having a nice Spring Training.

Player of the Game:  Clay Buchholz (4 IP, 3 hits, 1 strikeout)

03/14/2013
Red Sox 7 Twins 3
Player of the Game:  Jacoby Ellsbury (2 for 3, 2 runs, RBI, double).

03/06/2013 Pirates 9 Red Sox 3

Jon Lester looked good, unfortunately Rubby De La Rosa, the gem from the big Dodgers trade did not.

Player of the Game: Pedro Ciriaco (2 for 4, run, stolen base)

02/27/2013: Orioles 5 Red Sox 3

Junichi Tazawa has had a rough spring so far.  Hopefully he'll get back on track.  I would love to see him stick in the Major Leagues all year, especially after his incredible season last year.

Player of the Game: Pedro Ciriaco (2 for 4, 3B, RBI)