Ellsbury All Threes in Win Over Marlins; Ross Drives in Five as Braves Whitewash Mets

Players of the Day for Saturday, March 12, 2011

American League

Jacoby Ellsbury

Jacoby Ellsbury doubled twice, homered, drove in three runs and scored three times in three at-bats as the Boston Red Sox swamped the Florida Marlins, 9-2, on Saturday.

Ellsbury, Boston's leadoff hitter and center fielder, played in only 18 games last season due to injury, though one wouldn't know it by the way he's been lashing base hits during Spring training. With Saturday's 30-for-3 effort, he's batting a robust .440, with 4 RBI, 8 runs and a stolen base on his tab.

National League

David Ross

A part-time catcher, David Ross is doing his best to impress the Braves this Spring, and Saturday's effort may give the Braves' brass something to think about.

With starter Tim Hudson giving up four hits and no runs over four innings, the Braves hammered the Mets, 12-0, as Ross went 3-for-4 - two singles and a double - and drove in five big ones.

Ross has bounced around the majors since 2002 with the Angels, Reds and Red Sox, but has found a home with the Braves since 2009.

Though he's unlikely to replace Brian McCann behind the plate, Ross did bat .289 in 58 games with the ATL last season. Saturday's fine showing should keep him as the backup in 2011.