In a spring training contest eerily reminiscent of too many of their 2023 games, the Red Sox scored first, then fell 3-2 to the Atlanta Braves.

Most of the Braves’ regular-season starting lineup made the trip, and made life difficult for the Sox pitching staff. Though they struck out 13 times and only drew a pair of walks, Atlanta collected nine hits, including the home runs by Jordan Luplow and the birthday boy, Michael Harris II, and 15 total bases.

Unfortunately, Nick Pivetta’s first-inning success didn’t carry over into the next frame. After getting three quick outs in the first, he began the second by giving up a single to Matt Olson. He got Marcell Ozuna to strike out swinging, then gave up the home run and the lead to Luplow, who sent a ball flying into over JetBlue Park’s Green Monster. Chadwick Tromp knocked a single off Pivetta too, before the Triston Casas pulled off an inning-ending double play.

Pivetta rebounded in his third and final frame of the afternoon, facing four batters and only giving up a walk. All told, he gave up two earned runs on three hits, the solitary base-on-balls, and struck out four. The honor of being Opening Day starter will go to either him or Brayan Bello.

Tanner Houck, Joe Jacques, Joely Rodriguez, and Lucas Luetge pitched the rest of the way. Aside from Harris’ home run, Houck had a strong three-inning outing, issuing walk and striking out four. It was also encouraging to see Rodriguez complete a perfect eighth inning with a pair of strikeouts; he’s back in camp on a minor-league deal after injuries cost him most of his one-year contract with the Sox last season.

For the home team, the offensive highlight of the day came early. With two outs and no one on in the bottom of the second inning, Masataka Yoshida sent an 0-1 pitch from Bryce Elder into the bullpen for his first home run of the year and a 1-0 Sox lead. The Boston bats also drew six walks, including one by Triston Casas and two by Wilyer Abreu, and Bobby Dalbec also stepped on the gas and contributed the only stolen base of the game. However, the lineup also racked up 12 strikeouts, and they were held to four hits, and left eight men on base to Atlanta’s six.

Luckily for the Sox, these games don’t count. Unluckily for the Sox, they’ll have to face this powerhouse team when they do.