Pirates at Red Sox: Pregame notes

By MIKE HENRY

Herald Staff Writer

FORT MYERS -- No one on the Pirates is more popular at City of Palms Park than first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz.
Although he played for the Red Sox 2004 World Series winners, Mientkiewicz did not begin that season with Boston. He was traded to the Red Sox from Minnesota in a four-player swap during the season.
The Twins also train in Fort Myers. Mientkiewicz played for Minnesota from 1998-2004.
Shouts of "Dougie! Dougie!" were audible before the game, and Mientkiewicz spent a few minutes talking with Red Sox players and staff.
Mientkiewicz is batting .125 (1-for-8) entering the game.

Quote of the day. "Once the games start, it becomes more fun. The first two weeks are kind of a pain in the butt. ... It's like Groundhog's Day. You're doing the same thing every day, day in and day out." -- Pirates closer Matt Capps

Up next: The Pirates host the Tigers at 1:05 p.m. on Wednesday at McKechnie Field. It is the first of four consecutive home games, including Friday's night game against the Reds (those teams also play a Friday afternoon game at Ed Smith Stadium).
Ian Snell is scheduled to start Wednesday against Detroit's Yorman Bazardo. Also scheduled to pitch for the Pirates are Sean Burnett, Marino Salas, Hector Carrasco, Josh Sharpless, Masumi Kuwata and Matt Capps.