SPRING TRAINING WITH THE 2007 RED SOX

December 1, 2006 ... Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein took a step toward bolstering his bullpen yesterday, introducing a veteran lefthanded reliever from Japan, Hideki Okajima, at Fenway Park. Last season, Okajima served as setup man for the Nippon Ham Fighters, posting a 2-2 record with a career-best 2.14 ERA in 55 appearances for the Japan Series champions, who were managed by a Westerner, Trey Hillman. In his previous 11 seasons, Okajima pitched for the Yomiuri Giants, a team that inspired him to go by "Okaji" because of the longtime presence of home run king Hideki Matsui, now a New York Yankee. The Sox signed him to a two-year deal that will pay him $1.25 million in each of the next two seasons, with the club holding a $1.75 million option for 2009.

December 5, 2006 ... Jon Lester's latest CT scan was clean and his cancer seems to be in remission, so the 22-year-old lefthander expects to be in spring training with the Red Sox in 2007.

December 6, 2006 ... Agent Scott Boras made the announcement that the Sox have signed his client, outfielder J.D. Drew, to a five-year deal for $70 million, Epstein locked up free agent shortstop Julio Lugo on a four-year deal for $36 million, and the Sox also were among the clubs visiting with Boras regarding the oft-injured free agent closer, Eric Gagne.  The Drew and Lugo deals are both pending the passing of physicals, and until that time, Epstein said, he will not give official confirmation of the deals.

December 8, 2006 ... The closer responsible for the team's run to a World Series title in 2004, Keith Foulke, declined salary arbitration from the Red Sox, choosing to pursue opportunities closer to his Arizona home.

December 9, 2006 ... The Red Sox added a long shot candidate to their bullpen mix yesterday when they selected righthander Nick Debarr in the major league phase of the Rule 5 draft. Debarr, 23, was on Tampa Bay's Triple A roster. He underwent Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery in 2005 and pitched on the Class A level last season, going 4-3 with a 2.74 ERA for Visalia in the California League. Debarr had nine saves and struck out 61 in 69 innings.

December 13, 2006 ... Gabe Kapler announced, in conjunction with his decision to retire, was to accept a job with the Red Sox as manager of the Single A Greenville Drive in the South Atlantic League.

December 14, 2006 ... The Red Sox and Daisuke Matsuzaka came to terms on a six-year, $52 million contract after negotiations with agent Scott Boras in southern California and on a flight back to Boston produced an agreement. The deal, which is expected to be announced at a 5 p.m. press conference today in Fenway Park, came only one day before Boston's 30-day window to strike a deal with the 26-year-old righthander was set to expire at midnight. Matsuzaka's physical went without a hitch last night, with the sides awaiting only the results of some tests to make the deal official.

December 16, 2006 ... Theo Epstein announced yesterday he'd traded for one Angels reliever, righthander Brendan Donnelly, and signed another as a free agent, lefthander J.C. Romero, as he continued to stockpile middle relievers and setup men. The Red Sox and Entercom Radio announced Dave O'Brien and Glenn Geffner will be joining Joe Castiglione in the broadcast booth in 2007.

January 4, 2007 ... The Red Sox are expected to soon finalize a one-year deal with Joel Piniero, worth $4 million pending a physical for the 28-year-old righthander, a move that would give the team pitching depth. Pineiro, who was 8-13 with a 6.36 ERA last season, was not offered arbitration by the Mariners, who paid him $6.8 million for '06.

January 30, 2007 ... Curt Schilling, 40, whose original plan was to retire after the 2007 season, that he had changed his mind and wants to pitch again in 2008. The Red Sox righthander, who will earn $13 million this season, said he would likely be looking for a similar contract for 2008.

February 14, 2007 ... It was Daisuke Matsuzaka's first day in Red Sox training camp. It hasn't officially opened yet, but that was of no consequence to the paparazzi assembled to record the moment - 12:01 p.m., a minute later than the Sox estimated - when the Japanese pitcher pulled into the parking lot in a black Cadillac Escalade. Matsuzaka was behind the wheel, though surely the Sox, who have thought of everything else, would have furnished him with a driver. He drove in just behind Sachiyo "Sachi" Sekiguchi, the new Japanese media liaison. Sachi was in the gray Nissan. A man from Matsuzaka's marketing firm in Japan, Architect Inc., rode shotgun with the pitcher.

February 16, 2007 ... Daisuke Matsuzaka finished his 40-minute Fort Myers introduction to the media, a press conference that showed a sly sense of humor to go along with an engaging personality that hardly required an understanding of Japanese. He looked at ease, confidence coming through in his answers, and a ready smile flashing in the session conducted at a temporary podium just beyond the third base dugout at City of Palms Park in front of approximately 150 members of the media. Kevin Youkilis arrived in camp five days early looking slimmed down and ready for the season.

February 17, 2007 ... Theo Epstein made his first appearance of the spring here yesterday. He and manager Terry Francona held dual press conferences, first with New England's knights of the keyboard, then with the new Japanese imports. Jason Varitek, Mike Timlin, Doug Mirabelli, Matt Clement, and Tim Wakefield were among the veteran arrivals in camp yesterday ... Manny Delcarmen apparently is taking notes from Manny Ramirez, showing up to camp with his hair dyed orange. Alberto Castillo, the free agent catcher signed in the offseason, came into spring training with a slight jump on Varitek and Mirabelli.  Pitching coach, John Farrell said that, while no determination has been made on the order of the Sox starting pitchers, he anticipates Matsuzaka will be among the top three, putting him on line to start the season with a game in Kansas City.

February 18, 2007 ... Dustin Pedroia popped into the clubhouse yesterday, even though position players don't have to report until Tuesday. Julian Tavarez bowed out of the agility tests because of a tender ankle. Curt Schilling also did not take part in the outdoor drills, though he did play catch in the morning.

February 19, 2007 ... Greeting the Sox yesterday morning was a contingent of 150 students, family, and friends from the Miami Hoshuko school, a Japanese school for elementary and junior high students.  Daisuke Matsuzaka, who threw 40 pitches in his first bullpen session, all fastballs and changeups, is accustomed to a much heavier workload in preseason in Japan. In one bullpen session last season Matsuzaka threw an astounding 333 pitches. He also has been known, after pitching in an exhibition game, to go down to the bullpen to throw some more.

February 20, 2007 ... Julio Lugo, the new Red Sox shortstop, checked in this morning, a day before position players are scheduled to report, joining Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis, and Eric Hinske among the more prominent early arrivals. Mike Lowell dropped off some stuff at camp in the afternoon, and the buzz is that David Ortiz, who was three days early last year, will hold court today.

February 21, 2007 ... Wily Mo Pena, who settled his arbitration case at $1.875 mistakenly went to City of Palms Park yesterday instead of the player development facility, but quickly realized his error ... David Ortiz had not arrived at the facility by sundown; neither had Alex Cora or J.D. Drew. All were expected by today, when physicals will be administered to position.

February 23, 2007 ... While Curt Schilling faced three minor leaguers in the first round of live batting practice thrown by a Sox pitcher, Daisuke Matsuzaka demonstrated anew how he goes about his preparation differently than the typical major league pitcher, throwing a 103-pitch bullpen session watched by general manager Theo Epstein and Sox owners John W. Henry and Tom Werner. Manager Terry Francona would have joined them, but he was ailing and stayed inside.

February 26, 2007 ... For the second time in three days, manager Terry Francona wasn't able to make his appointed rounds at the team's workout, instead staying home to deal with a flu bug that has hit him hard. Mike Timlin had to cut short his bullpen session after 10 pitches or so when struck by either a cramp or spasm in his left side. Timlin is the second reliever to come up with a back problem, joining Craig Hansen, who will take it slow for a few days after sustaining a slight strain.

February 27, 2007 ... Manny Ramirez strolled into Red Sox camp just after 8 a.m. yesterday, accompanied by his two agents, Greg Genske and Gene Matos.Ramirez, was six days behind the rest of his position-player teammates, but one day ahead of the mandatory reporting date for major league players. He underwent a physical at the minor league complex, then went through a 2 1/2-hour workout with the rest of the Red Sox players.

February 28, 2007 ... Righthanded pitcher Adam Bernero is going to Birmingham, Ala., to have his sore elbow checked by Dr. James Andrews. Abe Alvarez was excused for a family situation. Mike Timlin (back spasms) reported that he was feeling better. Manny Ramirez hit in a batting cage before the workout. Reliever Craig Hansen underwent a precautionary MRI on his back, and Francona said there was nothing alarming about the result. Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein was back at camp after being away for a few days on personal business. CEO Larry Lucchino also was on hand.

March 1, 2007 ... Would-be closer Joel Pineiro came on to start the third inning of tonight's exhibition opener against the Twins and was shaky. He gave up a couple of hits and an unearned run, thanks to a throwing error by new shortstop Julio Lugo. David Ortiz hit an RBI single in the third, then came out of the game. Brendan Donnelly had a 1-2-3 fourth inning. Jason Varitek caught only the first three innings. Julian Tavarez came on for the fifth and his third pitch sailed behind batter Jason Bartlett. Veteran reliever Mike Timlin (back spasms) said he'll throw a bullpen session in another day or two.  Outfield prospect Jacoby Ellsbury started in center field. Ellsbury took a called third strike in his first at-bat, then cracked a two-run single in the fourth. Chad Spann played third base for the Sox, made two errors, and struck out with runners in scoring position in the eighth and 10th innings. Alex Ochoa, who played in Japan last year, made two sensational throws from right field for the Sox in the ninth inning, preserving the 4-4 tie, which is how the game ended. Matt Clement left camp for a few days after a death in his family. Abe Alvarez is also away because of a family matter.

March 2, 2007 ... Minor leaguer Scott White, who projects to play in the Single A Cal League, drove in six runs with two home runs, including a grand slam, against Northeastern.  J.D. Drew struck out and walked in his first two at-bats with the Sox. A Sox team of mostly irregulars lost, 4-1, in Dunedin to the Blue Jays. The Sox had just four hits, including two singles by Pena and a double by Eric Hinske. Third baseman Chad Spann, who had the other hit, made two errors, giving him four in two games. Abe Alvarez remains away on a family matter, and Matt Clement also went home for a couple of days because of a death in his family. Curt Schilling passed out T-shirts to teammates and members of the Japanese media promoting his new video game company, the newly renamed 38studios.com.

March 3, 2007 ... Not entirely obscured by Daisuke Matsuzka's shadow was Kyle Jackson, the kid from Litchfield, N.H., who replaced Dice-K in the top of the third last night against Boston College and set down all three batters he faced: strikeout, ground out, ground out. Craig Hansen is still limited to flat-ground throwing. Runelvys Hernandez, the former Royals pitcher, was the victim of one "atrocious inning" (Francona's words), when he gave up six runs on six hits in the third. Alberto Castillo had given the Sox a three-run lead with a home run off Jays starter Gustavo Chacin. Kevin Youkilis had two doubles and minor leaguer Bryan Pritz sent the game to extra innings with a two-run home run in the ninth. Jeff Bailey's second-inning home run made a winner of Matsuzaka. Rule 5 pick Nick Debarr pitched two scoreless innings last night, whiffing four.

March 4, 2007 ... Tim Wakefield was touched for a couple of runs in the first inning of his spring debut, the inning set up when second baseman Dustin Pedroia booted a double play ball. But the 40-year-old knuckleballer was happy there were no lingering effects from last season's rib-cage injury, and even happier that this spring, unlike last year, Doug Mirabelli is in camp from the get-go. Manny Delcarmen gave up three runs on three hits and two walks while pitching just two-thirds of an inning in the ninth. Nice afternoon for Sox outfielder Brandon Moss, who last season was a catalyst in Portland winning the Eastern League championship. Moss, starting in right field in place of J.D. Drew (day off) made a sliding catch in the second inning, hit a home run into the center field camera well in the third, and threw out a runner at the plate in the sixth. Third baseman Chad Spann, who made four errors in back-to-back games last week, had a nice moment, sending the game into extra innings with a two-run single in the bottom of the ninth. Manny Ramirez, batting cleanup for the second straight day, had three plate appearances, striking out once and walking twice. Mike Lowell hit his first spring home run.

March 5, 2007 ... Manager Terry Francona will allow Ramirez, David Ortiz, and Mike Lowell to stay behind when the team takes the 2 1/2-hour trip to Jupiter tomorrow to face the Marlins. Bound for Jupiter are Jason Varitek (who will catch Daisuke Matsuzaka's first game against major league competition), Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis, Wily Mo Pena, and Eric Hinske.  Francona thought Javier Lopez's outing (1 2/3 innings, no runs, one hit) showed how effective he could be as a lefty specialist. Twins ace Johan Santana allowed one run and three hits in two innings in his first start of the spring. He walked three and fanned two.

March 6, 2007 ... Craig Hansen, who has been sidelined with a back problem, is scheduled to face hitters this morning on the back field at City of Palms Park. Meanwhile, Mike Timlin, who has missed time with a strained oblique, threw 20-25 pitches on the side yesterday. A Who's Who of former Red Sox paraded through City of Palms Park: Nomar Garciaparra, Grady Little, Mike Easler, Bill Mueller, Rudy Seanez, Ken Huckaby, Matt White, Dave Jauss, and others. Sox first base prospect Luis Jimenez knocked in their only run with a double to right field in the eighth. The Sox and Twins played to a 0-0 tie in a "B" game in the morning. The Sox couldn't bat in the eighth or ninth innings because the Twins ran out of pitchers. Rule 5 draftee Nick Debarr pitched the sixth, was replaced by Kyle Jackson in the seventh, then came back to pitch the eighth and ninth. You can only do that in a "B" game.

March 7, 2007 ... Hurling three innings of two-hit ball against the Marlins, in front of a capacity crowd (8,044) that included Red Sox owner John Henry, Bill Parcells, and hardball Hall of Famers Dennis Eckersley and Jim Palmer, Matsuzaka threw 47 pitches (31 strikes) in a 14-6, 10-inning Red Sox victory. The Red Sox scored eight runs in the top of the 10th. They banged out 18 hits against nine Florida pitchers. Center-field prospect Jacoby Ellsbury had two more hits, including another triple. The kid can fly. Counting his three-bagger against Boston College, Ellsbury already has three triples. Joel Pineiro pitched a shutout inning, fanning one and walking one. Red Sox pitching coach John Farrell stayed back in Fort Myers to watch Craig Hansen and Abe Alvarez, but made it to Jupiter in time to see Matsuzaka. Dice-K had Sox regulars Julio Lugo, Kevin Youkilis, and Dustin Pedroia playing in the infield. Wily Mo Pena was in right

March 8, 2007 ... Alex Cora provided the day's defensive highlight for the Sox with a diving stop at second, which he flipped to shortstop Rogers for a force play in the seventh. Jonathan Papelbon followed Tim Wakefield's three scoreless innings with another dominant outing, three shutout innings with four strikeouts. Not a good day for the bullpen. Brendan Donnelly was charged with four runs on two hits and two walks. Lefthander Hideki Okajima, meanwhile, replaced Donnelly and gave up a three-run home run to Damion Easley, who jumped on a hanging breaking ball. Coco Crisp had a sacrifice fly but is just 1 for 11 so far, after tearing up camp with a .434 average last spring. Ramirez had an RBI single for his first spring hit in seven at-bats. Mike Timlin (oblique strain) has been cleared for his first game action, an inning in Lakeland.

March 9, 2007 ... The Sox had just three hits against the Twins, a double and single by Kevin Youkilis (.412) and a single by David Murphy.  The Sox squeezed across a run in the bottom of the ninth to beat the Blue Jays, 3-2, doubles by Kerry Robinson and Jeff Bailey accounting for the winning run. J.D. Drew had two hits, including an RBI triple on which he scored after an overthrow. Kyle Snyder gave up solo home runs to John-Ford Griffin (who hails from the same hometown, Sarasota) and Jason Smith, one of four hits Smith had on the day. Joel Pineiro gave up a hit in one inning of work, but the runner was cut down stealing, while Julian Tavarez got five outs after throwing just one warm-up pitch upon entering the game. Daisuke Matsuzaka spent more than an hour signing autographs at City of Palms Park, an impressive performance.

March 10, 2007 ... The Sox made some roster cuts, sending Jacoby Ellsbury, David Pauley, Edgar Martinez, Chad Spann, and Luis Jimenez to minor league camp, which officially opens tomorrow with the first full workout. Adam Bernero, the nonroster invitee who underwent Tommy John elbow reconstruction, also is reporting to minor league camp to begin rehabilitation. Craig Hansen gave up three hits and two runs in an inning in his first appearance this spring in an 11-10 win over the Phillies in Clearwater. David Ortiz hit his first home run. Francona and Curt Schilling plan to attend funeral services Tuesday for John Vukovich, the longtime Phillies coach who died Thursday of complications stemming from inoperable brain cancer.

March 11, 2007 ... Jon Lester agreed to a one-year deal for $384,000, his agent, Alan Nero confirmed. Lester, who is scheduled to throw a simulated game to minor leaguers today, might start the season at Pawtucket, or he could stay in extended spring training. Francona said he may want to get Lester into a real game soon. Dustin Pedroia was charged with two errors. He booted Curtis Granderson's grounder in the first, but on the next batter, Placido Polanco, he got a bad feed from shortstop Alex Cora. Eric Hinske's grand slam sparked a five-run first inning for the Sox.

March 12, 2007 ... Daisuke Matsuzaka gave up two home runs to the Baltimore Orioles, both struck by nonroster camp invitees: Jon Knott, a former college teammate of Jonathan Papelbon who had come into the game hitless in his first 12 spring at-bats, and Jason Dubois, a nice Triple A hitter previously cut by the Cubs and Indians.  Matsuzaka also threw a potential double-play ball into center field for an error in a 5-3 Sox loss to the Orioles witnessed by the full Sox ownership troika, the coach and player personnel chief of the three-time Super Bowl champion Patriots, six big league scouts, a crew from the NBC Nightly News, Stephen King, Peter Gammons, 100 folks from the Boston Latin School, an announced crowd of 7,957 in City of Palms Park, and however many insomniacs turned on TBS (Tokyo Broadcasting System) to watch the game at 2 a.m. Japan time.

March 13, 2007 ... Jonathan Papelbon, a big leaguer for one year and 64 days, agreed to terms with the Red Sox on a contract that will pay him $425,500, just $45,500 more than the major league minimum and a fraction of what most of his bullpen mates will be making, even though Papelbon was an All-Star closer last season.  The plan is for Papelbon to be a starter this season. The rest of the rotation - Curt Schilling, Josh Beckett, Daisuke Matsuzaka, and Tim Wakefield - will be paid an average of $7.25 million. Matt Clement, who is recovering from shoulder surgery and is uncertain of pitching this season, is being paid $9.5 million.  Kevin Youkilis, whose big-league service time of 2 years and 93 days left him slightly more than a month short of being eligible for arbitration, had his contract renewed at $424,000, just $44,000 over the minimum. Mike Lowell, whose acquisition a year ago triggered Youkilis's move across the diamond from third base, is being paid $9 million in 2007.

March 14, 2007 ... Following an emotional day in which he accompanied manager Terry Francona and bench coach Brad Mills to Voorhees, N.J., to attend the funeral of former Phillies coach John Vukovich, Curt Schilling returned to City of Palms Park to pitch a five-inning simulated game.  Throwing to Jason Varitek, with Red Sox executives Theo Epstein, Jed Hoyer, and Ben Cherington, plus Francona and special scout Allard Baird watching, Schilling worked effectively to minor league hitters, throwing 80 pitches.  The Sox want to see what Kyle Snyder, who is out of options, can do in the bullpen. They don't want to lose him on waivers. Snyder, who pitched three scoreless innings in a 1-0 loss to the Blue Jays yesterday in Dunedin, thinks he could even close.

March 15, 2007 ... It appears Daisuke Matsuzaka will have to hit against the Dodgers. He homered last June 9 against the Hanshin Tigers, but his Seibu Lions were in a DH league. Devern Hansack is still very much on Boston's radar for a bullpen spot. Ortiz was saddened by the death of Spc. Justin Rollins of Newport, N.H., who was killed in Iraq. Ortiz had met Rollins last year.

March 16, 2007 ... With so much of the attention in spring training focused on the closer's job, it stands to reason that Craig Hansen, the flamethrower from St. John's, has been the subject of scrutiny, even though it seems the 23-year-old will start the season in the minors. But, with the final spot in the bullpen (depending on Mike Timlin's health) having been given at times to Manny Delcarmen, Kyle Snyder, or Devern Hansack, there is a chance, however slight, that it might go to Hansen. A moment of silence was observed before last night's game for Bowie Kuhn, the former commissioner who died yesterday at age Those coming to see fireworks from the Red Sox tandem of David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez missed out if they missed batting practice. The pair struck out five times in six times at the plate, including three times looking. Ortiz was credited with two swinging strikeouts. David Ortiz broke out his first baseman's mitt for the game.

March 17, 2007 ... With rain drenching Dodgertown and washing out yesterday afternoon's game, the pitchers scheduled to follow Daisuke Matsuzaka didn't get in their work. So, while Matsuzaka was filling out his day with a 77-pitch bullpen session to supplement his two innings, Hideki Okajima and Manny Delcarmen got bumped right to the plane back to Fort Myers. Though J.D. Drew and Coco Crisp were scheduled to make the trip to Vero Beach, neither ended up at Dodgertown. Francona decided to leave them at home to work on some drills, mentioning that when he can give a player a break from a long road trip, he will. Jon Lester pitched for Pawtucket against Rochester yesterday at the Sox' minor league complex. Throwing 20 pitches (15 strikes) in two innings, he allowed one hit and struck out two.  Nomar Garciaparra took time before the game to talk to Kevin Youkilis and Jason Varitek, sitting with Varitek in the Red Sox dugout and prompting photographers to swarm.

March 18, 2007 ... Joel Pineiro, who is battling for a bullpen spot, did not allow a run in 1 1/3 innings despite allowing two hits in a 2-1 loss to the Reds at City of Palms Park.  Pineiro came on in the fourth inning, and Francona said the plan was to use him in the middle of an inning to have him get used to pitching with runners on. Mike Timlin might be turning the corner regarding a strained left oblique that has sidelined him for two weeks. The veteran reliever has received clearance from team medical director Thomas Gill to resume throwing, and he's done so the last two days from 90 feet.  Lefthander Hideki Okajima pitched one scoreless inning and showed a good fastball during his one strikeout. The Sox got a scare in the fifth inning when second baseman Dustin Pedroia was hit by a pitch on the knuckle of his left pinkie. X-rays were negative, but Pedroia will be held out for a couple of days. Matt Clement is about to enter the next phase of his rehab. Clement had major surgery in September, and it usually involves a 12-month recovery, but he started his throwing program a month earlier than expected. Clement still expects to pitch this year. Lefthander Craig Breslow, catcher George Kottaras, and outfielder Brandon Moss were optioned to Pawtucket. Nonroster invitees Runelvys Hernandez and Travis Hughes, both pitchers, and infielder Ed Rogers were assigned to minor league camp. Francona is giving Coco Crisp and J.D. Drew some down time.

March 19, 2007 ... Kason Gabbard continued to impress with three scoreless innings against the Orioles' regular lineup in a 2-1 Boston win. Hideki Okajima, Javier Lopez, Devern Hansack, and Craig Hansen will throw today against Pittsburgh minor leaguers at the player development complex. Manny Delcarmen will throw a bullpen session. All players were supposed to have a day off, but that schedule was altered after Friday's game against the Dodgers was rained out.  Luis Jiminez, who is roughly David Ortiz's size, had himself a triple when a throw sailed past third base on a deep ball to center field in the Triple A game in which Schilling started for Pawtucket. Pitching coach John Farrell watched Travis Hughes and Craig Breslow, who followed Schilling. Both recently were sent down.

March 20, 2007 ... Craig Hansen was among a group of relievers whose day off was spent throwing at the player development complex. Hansen threw two innings, giving up two hits (one solo home run) and striking out two, on 29 pitches. Francona and Farrell have mapped out a program for Mike Timlin (strained oblique muscle) and will sit down with him today to explain it. Francona declined to elaborate, because he hadn't yet informed Timlin of the program. On the off day for the major leaguers, many of the Red Sox players left Fort Myers for home or other locations. The players had almost two full days off, from Sunday afternoon to early afternoon workouts today.  Hideki Okajima and Javier Lopez also threw in minor league games. Okajima allowed two hits in one inning, with one strikeout, throwing 24 pitches. Lopez went two innings, with two strikeouts.

March 21, 2007 ... Francona made it official that Mike Timlin will start the season on the disabled list, estimating that the reliever will not be available until after the first road trip, to Kansas City and Texas. Through the first 14 outs of last night's game against the Twins, Josh Beckett was sailing, striking out seven and giving up just a single. Then, two swinging strikeouts into the fifth inning, the Twins went double, double, single, single, single, before Joe Mauer finally struck out looking to end the inning, four runs having scored. Beckett, who got the win in the 6-5 victory, said he didn't feel strong coming into the game, given his inactivity on Monday's off day. Joel Pineiro gave up one hit in pitching the ninth inning, bringing his ERA to 3.72, and handing him his first save of the spring. David Ortiz spent his day off Monday playing badminton. For five hours. At a commercial shoot for Vitamin Water with Chicago Bears star Brian Urlacher in Estero, Fla., the slugger got bombarded by birdies off the rackets of two United States Olympians.  Francona said more communication will help Varitek and Daisuke Matsuzaka, and the talent on both sides will help that process along. Matsuzaka is scheduled to throw 85-90 pitches today against the Pirates. The Red Sox sent Kason Gabbard to the minors, despite an impressive performance this spring with the major league club. Tim Wakefield and Jonathan Papelbon will split tomorrow's game against the Phillies, with Wakefield starting and planning on going five innings, and Papelbon planning for four. Jon Lester will start a minor league game today and should pitch three innings. Coco Crisp had a giant sleeve of ice on his left shoulder in the clubhouse before last night's game. Francona called it a bruised shoulder, citing that as the reason for Crisp's absence from the lineup.

March 22, 2007 ... Diasuke Matsuzaka, making his third start of the spring against a big league team, allowed the Pirates one hit in 5 2/3 innings, a sinking line-drive single by Adam LaRoche with two outs in the first inning that scored Chris Duffy, who had been nicked by a pitch. Jon Lester was knocked around a bit in a minor league game yesterday afternoon. Pitching against Rochester, the Twins' Triple A team, Lester did not finish the second or third inning because of pitch-count restrictions. He wound up throwing 42 pitches and gave up six hits and three runs while walking one and striking out. With two hits yesterday in three trips, J.D. Drew raised his spring average to .464. Manny Ramirez, who was not listed on the original traveling squad, reached base in all three plate appearances, with an RBI single in the first and two walks. Plate umpire Wally Bell, prompted by the Pirates, warned Matsuzaka about going to his mouth while on the rubber. That's a balk in the regular season. Coco Crisp (shoulder) will be held back until tomorrow. Manny Delcarmen replaced Matsuzaka and gave up a home run to the first batter he faced, Ronny Paulino, who is batting .500 this spring, but retired the next four batters he faced. Francona said he threw his best changeups of the spring.

March 23, 2007 ... The Red Sox, who named Jonathan Papelbon closer, did their due diligence throughout spring training. They kicked the tires to see if someone could emerge as the closer, whether it was Joel Pineiro, Julian Tavarez, Brendan Donnelly, or Mike Timlin. They tried desperately to monitor the rest of baseball, employing a scout at virtually every venue every day to see if they could acquire someone who could do the job. In the end, they realized taking fliers on San Francisco's Armando Benitez, Arizona's Jorge Julio, or Washington's Chad Cordero made no sense.  Wily Mo Pena (solo shot) and Kevin Youkilis (three-run job) hit home runs, Pena off the roof of Frenchy's, the restaurant-bar in left field, while Youkilis cleared it. Both home runs came off Jamie Moyer.  Wakefield said he would like to throw in the neighborhood of 100 pitches in his next start. He has shown no ill effects from last season's stress fracture in his rib cage, the cause of which he has not been able to pinpoint.

March 24, 2007 ... Curt Schilling pitched an efficient seven innings in which he threw 85 pitches and allowed two earned runs on six hits with six strikeouts and no walks. He allowed both runs in the fourth on back-to-back RBI doubles by Jay Gibbons and Kevin Millar. Schilling showed an effective changeup again, and considers himself in great shape to start the season. Coco Crisp, who has been battling a sore shoulder, is expected to start in center field against the Devil Rays. Outfielder David Murphy and infielder Jeff Bailey were reassigned to Pawtucket.

March 25, 2007 ... The Sox and Rays played to a 1-1, 10-inning tie. Manny Ramirez knocked in Boston's only run with an opposite-field double.  Devern Hansack pitched three scoreless innings, and Hideki Okajima gave up a hit, a walk, and whiffed two in two scoreless innings, his spring ERA dropping to 1.69. Rhode Island native Rocco Baldelli has a little bit of tightness in his hamstring, but Maddon believes the D-Rays center fielder will be ready for the regular season. Haverhill native Carlos Pena, in Rays camp as a nonroster player, went hitless in four trips and popped out on the first pitch with two on and no out in the ninth.  Dustan Mohr, who made a cameo appearance for the Sox last season, made the best catch in any game involving the Sox this spring, flying to his right, leaving his feet, and reaching across his body to spear Mike Lowell's liner to left in the fourth. Mohr played 21 games for the Sox last season after Crisp was hurt, then was released in June after whiffing in half of his big-league at-bats (20 of 40) and batted just .169. He was signed to a minor league contract by the Tigers and helped Triple A Toledo win the International League title.

March 26, 2007 ... Josh Beckett looked good in seven innings of three-hit ball in a 12-6 win over the Marlins yesterday.  Beckett struck out seven and walked three. He threw 92 pitches, 57 for strikes. The only run he surrendered was unearned.  He said he's slowed down his mechanics and no longer will try to blow his fastball past every hitter. The Sox led, 3-1, before erupting for nine runs in the eighth. Florida came back with five in the ninth, roughing up J.C. Romero. David Ortiz cracked a two-run double in the third, his ninth and 10th RBIs of the spring. Eric Hinske played in a game at the minor league camp in an effort to get some extra at bats. He went 3 for 3 with a homer. Wily Mo Pena and Doug Mirabelli will stay back and hit in a minor league game today. Jon Lester and Julian Tavarez will pitch against minor leaguers today. The Sox sent pitcher Devern Hansack to Pawtucket and pitcher Mike Burns, a non-roster invitee, to minor league camp. They now have 36 players; 11 more must go before Opening Day one week from today in Kansas City. Mike Timlin (disabled list, oblique) will throw off a mound for the first time tomorrow. The Sox did their part for the Jimmy Fund this morning. Longtime Jimmy Fund "play-lady" Lisa Scherber was in town for a second straight day with 29 patients and their families. The kids hung out behind the left-field fence after batting practice and got autographs and took photographs with several players. Among those who came back to see the kids were Lester, Matsuzaka, Hideki Okajima, Mike Lowell, Mirabelli, Wakefield, Coco Crisp, and Curt Schilling. The kids sat in owner John Henry's box for the game and were introduced to the crowd.

March 27, 2007 ... Daisuke Matsuzaka pitched five innings of no-hit baseball in a 5-0 spring training loss to the Cincinnati Reds yesterday, but that's not the story. The story is that Dice-K walked five batters and demonstrated poor command of his fastball. Then he did some stretching of his back and legs, which was caught by ESPN cameras. Then he iced down in the locker room. Then he changed his mind about his postgame routine and decided for the first time not to speak with the media - American or Japanese.  Jonathan Papelbon looked like the closer of old when he came in for one inning in relief of Daisuke Matsuzaka. He fanned Ken Griffey on a fastball down and in, then retired Edwin Encarnacion on a fly to left and got Scott Hatteberg on a grounder to first. Coco Crisp went 0 for 3 with a strikeout and is hitting .167 (6 for 36). Jason Varitek went 0 for 3 with two strikeouts and is hitting .108 (4 for 37) with 12 strikeouts. Alex Ochoa, who came in for Crisp in the sixth, has been told that there is not a spot for him on the Red Sox roster. Francona said the veteran outfielder has been given the option to start the season at Pawtucket or pursue opportunities elsewhere. Julian Tavarez and Jon Lester remained in Fort Myers to pitch in minor league games. Tavarez pitched five innings of a Double A game, giving up one unearned run on two hits, two walks, and one strikeout. He threw 65 pitches. Lester pitched in parts of three innings for Pawtucket and gave up three runs on three hits and two walks. He struck out one and threw 46 pitches. Wily Mo Pena went 2 for 5 with a homer in the Triple A game while Doug Mirabelli went 1 for 5 with a double. Mike Timlin (oblique muscle) will throw on the side today. Manny Ramirez reported to City of Palms Park early but was sent home with a sore throat.

March 28, 2007 ... Finalizing their Opening Day roster, the Red Sox sent relievers Craig Hansen and Manny Delcarmen to Pawtucket today. Kyle Snyder won the final spot in the bullpen. Hansen was 0-1 with a 15.43 ERA this spring and was roughed up for five runs in Sarasota Monday. A 2005 first-round pick out of St. John's, he has struggled with the parent club and will not be used as a closer in Pawtucket. Catcher Kevin Cash also was sent to Pawtucket, and catcher Alberto Castillo was traded to the Orioles for outfielder Cory Keylor. In addition to Timlin, Jon Lester and Matt Clement will start the season on the disabled list. Lester will start the season in Greenville of the South Atlantic League. His manager will be Gabe Kapler for three or four starts. In a 3-2 loss to the Pirates, Tim Wakefield threw 88 pitches in six innings, giving up three runs on six hits. He was replaced by Brendan Donnelly in the seventh.  Manny Ramirez (sore throat) took batting practice but did not play against the Pirates.  Matt Clement (recovering from shoulder surgery) will stay in Florida for a month or two. He's throwing from 60 feet now and will throw from 75 feet next week. He hopes to be pitching to hitters after the All-Star break

March 29, 2007 ... The Sox and Minnesota Twins went at one another for the fifth and final time in Grapefruit League play last night, and the Sox won the coveted Mayor's Cup with a 5-4 victory over Johan Santana at Hammond Field.  The victory gave the Sox a 3-1-1 series win and returned the Cup to City of Palms Park for the first time since 2004. Hideki Okajima surrendered a two-run double in the seventh. Timlin (disabled list, oblique muscle) will throw a bullpen session.  Schilling, Tim Wakefield, Josh Beckett, and Doug Mirabelli will stay behind in Florida for side throwing and some minor league games while the Sox are in Philly.

March 30, 2007 ... Mike Timlin threw a side session yesterday with no problems, and is on a schedule that will have him activated in time for the Sox' home opener April 10 against the Seattle Mariners.  Timlin is expected to pitch twice more here in minor league camp, tomorrow and Tuesday, and then is scheduled to throw Thursday and next Saturday for Triple A Pawtucket. Sox manager Terry Francona said there was some thought of having Timlin join the club in Texas, when he would have been eligible to come off the disabled list in time for next Sunday's game, but decided to wait until the club returns home. Jonathan Papelbon gave the club a scare when he stepped awkwardly on the first base bag while taking a toss from Joe McEwing in the ninth inning. Papelbon took a couple of practice tosses after trainer Paul Lessard checked him out, stayed in the game, and struck out the last two batters he faced, Jonny Gomes and Josh Paul. The Sox set a City of Palms Park record with a total attendance of 131,586 this spring. Johnny Pesky, who turns 88 in September, has been hit with another eviction notice by Major League Baseball. MLB once again has decided to strictly enforce its rule governing who is allowed in a team's dugout during a game, which means Pesky, who is in his 55th season with the club, can no longer sit on the bench during games. He'll still be allowed in uniform before games, and on the field and in the clubhouse, but must vacate the dugout before the first pitch.

March 31, 2007 ... Ramirez hit an opposite-field home run to start the second inning last night, one of four home runs the Red Sox hit in a 6-5 win over the Phillies. Dustin Pedroia, like Ramirez, also hit his first of the spring, while J.D. Drew and Kevin Youkilis hit their second of the spring. All the home runs came off Cole Hamels, a highly regarded lefthander. The Sox had hit just 15 home runs all spring before their best power showing of the exhibition season.  Even though last night's game was played in a National League park, the designated hitter was used, part of the agreement the Phillies made with the Red Sox to play an exhibition set. The Sox originally were scheduled to receive $500,000 from the Phillies for their appearance, but that number was dropped to $350,000 when today's game was scheduled to be an afternoon affair instead of a night game. Josh Beckett pitched four scoreless innings in a minor league game, allowing three hits while striking out six. He did not walk a batter. It was his final tuneup before pitching the second game of the regular season Wednesday night in Kansas City.  Catcher Kevin Cash, infielder Joe McEwing, and outfielder Bobby Scales, who made the trip here, will be assigned to minor league camp after today's game, which will be started by Matsuzaka.

April 1, 2007 ... He threw a lot of pitches (82 in four innings). He bounced some in the dirt, walked four, struck out seven, and gave up a long home run to hit-or-miss Phillies slugger Pat Burrell. But after the Red Sox' last exhibition game of the spring, Daisuke Matsuzaka offered what probably is most important to the team. In the 7-5 win over the Phillies, lefthanded reliever Hideki Okajima also gave up a home run, to Greg Dobbs, one of the hottest hitters in spring training. The homer was Dobbs's fifth. Coco Crisp had two more hits and finished batting .400 (8 for 20) in eight games after missing eight with a sore left shoulder. J.D. Drew also had two hits and finished his first spring with the Sox batting .356 .. Kevin Youkilis had the highest average among Sox regulars this spring, batting .368 .. David Ortiz and Jason Varitek homered, giving the Sox six in the two games here after hitting just 15 in Florida. Back in Fort Myers, Jon Lester, pitching for Single A Greenville, held Beloit, a Twins farm team, hitless in four innings. Lester walked one and struck out five while throwing 58 pitches. Mike Timlin, pitching for Single A Lancaster, worked two innings against the Twins' Fort Myers affiliate and gave up two hits, two walks, and a run in one inning. He threw 17 pitches. Both are on rehab assignments. Timlin is expected to join the club in time for the home opener; the Sox have 30 days to make a decision on Lester.