Hansen saves the night for Sox in win over the Yankees

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Ninth inning. 7-5 lead. Sox over the Yankees. It was the perfect scenario for Terry Francona to test a potential closer. His choice? The would-be closer of the future. Craig Hansen pitched a scoreless frame and notched his first save of spring training. A scout told the Boston Globe that Hansen's slider reached a 7 on a scale of 8, but that his shoulder looked rigid.

It was an impressive evening for the Sox bullpen. Brendan Donnelly, J.C. Romero and Manny Delcarmen also threw scoreless innings. Lefty Javier Lopez was formidable against left-handed batters, but he surrendered a run and two hits against righties.Donnelly is settling down after a few subpar performances. So is Delcarmen. Romero has been effective since spring training started and appears to be regaining the form that made him one of baseball's top left-handed relievers.

With Romero and Okajima seemingly set for the opening day roster, Lopez may be a longshot to head to the Fens as well since Francona may not need a third left-hander in the bullpen. Yet Lopez has been one of the top relievers in spring training. Perhaps he can serve as a situational left-hander since Romero and Okajima are effective against hitters from both sides of the plate.