BOSTON -- The Futures at Fenway double-header is underway, with Class A Lowell meeting Hudson Valley and the Bisons-Pawtucket game to follow. As of 2:45, we're only in the middle of the fifth of the opener so the Bisons are likely not going to start much before 4:30.
The game started on an ominous note as Lowell pitcher Brian Johnson -- a first-round pick of the Red Sox this year out of the University of Florida -- was felled by a line drive to the face on just his second pitch of the day. He was down for several minutes and was taken off the field on a stretcher as he held a towel to his face. Johnson did, however, wave to the crowd and was fully conscious as he left (there has been no report on him).
The Bisons dressed at McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket, about an hour from here, and are currently en route. We'll have a live blog up around 4:15 or 4:30 with updates from the Herd game. One quickie: Pawtucket slugger Mauro Gomez, with 24 homers this season, has been called up by Boston and won't play today.
---Mike Harrington
(www.twitter.com/bnharrington)
