Lowell encouraged by first game of spring training

Mike Lowell and the Red Sox were encouraged by his first game since hip surgery.

The 2007 World Series MVP returned to the lineup Tuesday, getting three at-bats during Boston's 5-1 loss to the Baltimore Orioles in Fort Myers, Fla.

Lowell was the designated hitter and finished 1-for-3 with a single to left in his final trip to the plate. He is slated to play again Friday against the New York Yankees, at third base.

"It's nice to see him get a hit, because it was a good swing," Boston manager Terry Francona said. "But it's nice to see him in the game. We only were planning on giving him two at-bats."

Lowell had surgery Oct. 20 to repair a torn labrum in his right hip, the same injury that sidelined Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez this spring. Rodriguez underwent arthroscopic surgery Monday and will need another, more extensive operation after the season.

Lowell said last week that running was the final part of his game to come around after the surgery. After the game he said he had no problem running or getting out of the batter's box.

"That twist on the swing and twisting back out to start running, it felt fine," Lowell said. "I actually didn't even think about it, which I think is a good thing."

Red Sox starter Clay Buchholz pitched three perfect innings, striking out two.

"I thought it was a really good step," Francona said. "I thought he threw kind of a power changeup. He threw some really good ones, and he fouled them up and he repeated it."

Buchholz tossed a no-hitter in his second major league start, against Baltimore at Fenway Park on Sept. 1, 2007. But he struggled last season and was sent to Double-A in August.

"It didn't go quite like it went today last year," Buchholz said. "But I went out there throwing the pitches that I want to throw instead of second-guessing myself."

Derek Lowe also pitched with a purpose for the Atlanta Braves.

The team's new No. 1 starter, signed in the offseason as a free agent, struck out six in four hitless innings of a 7-4 victory over the Houston Astros in Kissimmee, Fla.

"That's about as good as I can do," Lowe said. "It really is, as far as command, being able to throw pitches for strikes. It's important to throw strikes. It's steadily gotten better."

Lowe agreed to a four-year, $60 million contract with Atlanta in January after going 14-11 with a 3.24 ERA for the Los Angeles Dodgers last season.

Atlanta reliever Rafael Soriano made his first appearance of the spring after starting camp with an upper respiratory infection. The 29-year-old ended last season on the disabled list after surgery on his right elbow in August.

He allowed one hit and struck out one in a scoreless inning and said he's "very close" to 100 percent healthy.

"I'm much better now after what happened last year," Soriano said.

Manny Ramirez is scheduled to make his spring training debut Thursday when the Los Angeles Dodgers play South Korea's World Baseball Classic team.

The exhibition game won't count in Cactus League standings, but Ramirez's return to the Dodgers after agreeing to a $45 million, two-year contract last week will make it a major attraction.

Los Angeles manager Joe Torre said he wasn't sure if Ramirez will play the outfield or be the designated hitter, but the slugger will get a start on the 50 or so at-bats he's expected to receive before opening day.

Ramirez has been showing up at 6 a.m. each day since he arrived in camp, lifting weights in full uniform before most of his teammates check in for the day.

"I'm behind, so I have to catch up," said Ramirez, who planned to be in camp Wednesday while his teammates get a day off. "I'm going to run the bases and lift and do what I need to do. I'm still sore, but it's getting better day by day. I'm still getting used to wearing (spikes) again. But I'm ready to see how I do."

In other news:

"Yankees general manager Brian Cashman thinks he's unlikely to acquire a fill-in third baseman to replace Rodriguez. The top internal candidate to start opening day at third is Cody Ransom.

"I'm not going to be proactive in trying to do something. If something represents itself that makes sense, then maybe it will be different. I think our answer is here in camp," Cashman said in Tampa, Fla.

"Oakland third baseman Eric Chavez remains optimistic that he can play by opening day despite a setback in his shoulder rehabilitation. Chavez stopped baseball activities Monday, a day after feeling right shoulder pain while swinging a bat.

"Relief pitcher Duaner Sanchez was released by the New York Mets after failing to regain form following two shoulder operations.

"Baltimore pitcher Koji Uehara is expected to miss his next scheduled start after straining his left hamstring during Monday's game against the Mets.

"Jon Lester is among 19 players who have agreed to one-year contracts with Boston. Lester's agent has been working on a long-term deal with the Red Sox, but the pitcher said Monday an agreement had not yet been completed.

Mets 5, Nationals 5, 10 innings

At Viera, Fla., Washington's Jordan Zimmermann extended his shutout streak to 8 1-3 innings and Brad Eldred homered for the second straight game. Elijah Dukes added a two-run homer for the Nationals.

John Maine gave up five runs and five hits in three innings for the Mets.

Rays 11, Blue Jays 4

At Port Charlotte, Fla., David Price threw a pair of shutout innings in relief and Pat Burrell hit a grand slam for his first Tampa Bay homer.

Cardinals 5, Tigers 2

At Jupiter, Fla., Joe Mather, trying to make the Cardinals at third base with Troy Glaus still coming back from shoulder surgery, went 1-for-3 and Chris Duncan homered for St. Louis. Detroit starter Zach Miner, in a four-way competition to become the fifth starter, allowed three runs and seven hits in three innings.

Cubs 8, Mariners 1

At Peoria, Ariz., Rich Harden allowed two hits in two scoreless innings and Ryan Dempster threw three shutout innings for the Cubs.

Dodgers 6, Diamondbacks 3

At Phoenix, Casey Blake homered off Arizona ace Brandon Webb, and Matt Kemp also connected for Los Angeles.

Dodgers pitcher Hiroki Kuroda struck out six in 3 2-3 scoreless innings. Kuroda hasn't allowed a run in 8 2-3 innings of three-hit ball this spring.

Giants 6, Rangers 4

At Surprise, Ariz., Rangers starter Scott Feldman had his second consecutive scoreless outing, allowing one hit and two walks.

Angels 8, Indians 4

At Tempe, Ariz., a pair of high-profile pitchers made their first spring appearances. New Indians closer Kerry Wood struck out one in a scoreless inning. Angels starter Jered Weaver allowed four hits and a run in two-thirds of an inning. Rockies 14, Athletics 7

At Tucson, Ariz., Oakland outfielder Matt Holliday singled twice against his former team.

Yorvit Torrealba went 2-for-3 with two doubles and four RBIs and Ryan Spilborghs was 2-for-3 with three RBIs for Colorado.

Yankees 7, Reds 1

At Tampa, Fla., Joba Chamberlain rebounded from two bad starts by allowing one run and three hits over three innings for New York.