Starting in the Sox’ last spring training game and tuning up to pitch the third game of the season Sunday in Detroit, Kopech completed two interrupted innings, gave up two runs on two hits and four walks against the Padres.
Kopech didn’t have great stuff, threw six consecutive balls in a scoreless first inning, then opened the second allowing the first five batters to reach base, three of them on walks. With that, manager Tony La Russa pulled him before sending him out for a scoreless third.
Kopech’s fastball velocity was sitting at 95, a tick or two below normal, but he feels fine, he said.
