FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) – Tim Wakefield gave up his first runs this spring, but the Red Sox knuckleballer pitched well again Monday as Boston beat the Cleveland Indians 9-4. In three previous spring training appearances, Wakefield had pitched eight innings without allowing a run. Unlike last year, when he entered the preseason as a reliever, Wakefield came to camp this spring all but assured of a spot in Boston’s starting rotation.
He allowed two runs in five innings Monday, striking out four.
Nomar Garciaparra and Manny Ramirez homered on back-to-back pitches in the fourth inning, and Lou Collier added a bases-loaded triple for the Red Sox.
Ramirez went 1-for-2, dropping his average to .576. He also made a diving catch in left field to end the second with a runner on second.
“People need to give him a little more credit than he’s getting right now as far as his defensive skills,” Wakefield said. “He really made a great play today to get me out of an inning with two outs.”
Shea Hillenbrand was 2-for-2, improving his average to .530.
The game drew a City of Palms Park record crowd of 8,200. The Red Sox wore green hats and groundskeepers mowed a cloverleaf in center field.
Ben Broussard has missed four straight games with an injury to a ribcage muscle.
The Indians also said rookie Brandon Phillips will be their opening day second baseman. Phillips, who went 2-for-3 Monday, beat out John McDonald.
Cleveland starter Jason Bere gave up five runs and nine hits in his first loss of the spring.
Notes: Red Sox pitching coach Tony Cloninger was expecting results Monday or Tuesday from a biopsy on a tumor found in his bladder last week. He was at the park, as usual, Monday, working with Casey Fossum, who was hit hard Sunday by Pittsburgh. … Indians manager Eric Wedge said McDonald will make the team as a utility player. … The Indians have their only off-day of spring training Tuesday. Boston has its off-day Wednesday. … Manager Grady Little expects the Red Sox to make a trade before opening day. “We’ve still got a number of players that are fully capable of playing in the big leagues this year, but we can’t leave here with but 25,” he said.
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