Jon Lester threw four scoreless innings and left with a 2-0 lead. Jonathan Papelbon then took over in the fifth, struggled to find the plate and gave the Twins all the runs they would need.
The former took the defense of the latter, who did not speak with reporters after giving up three runs on three walks, a double and a hit batter in one-third of an inning.
"We're going to have outings like that in spring training," Lester said of Papelbon. "It's early, still getting our feet wet. Guys are battling some things as far as getting used to throwing this much again. I don't think if you asked anybody who is here today anyone is concerned about it."
Papelbon threw 30 pitches, only 13 for strikes. His effort stood in stark contrast to that of Lester, who accomplished exactly what he set out to early this spring.
When speaking to reporters back in February, Lester said that his first priority this year was to limit walks. While he gave up four singles in his four innings of work, nobody saw ball four. Additionally, Lester struck out five and erased two of the hits with rally-killing double plays.
"It's just walks in general. Free passes," Lester said. "It's something I've been trying to work on, first-pitch strikes. It's just a continued battle for me so I've been pleased with how I'm throwing the ball as far as attacking guys and not giving in. I'd rather give up a base hit than walk a guy, make a guy earn it. Regardless of if it's 3-1 or 3-0 I'd rather have a guy hit himself on than walk him."
Lester, who missed a start due to the flu but was able to throw a simulated three innings in its place, is lined up to make a start on April 1, which is Opening Day in Texas. While the questions will only increase as the days drag on in southwest Florida, that's a bit too far down the road for Lester.
"It's not something I'm worried about right now," he said when asked if he thought he would get the nod. "We've still got a long way to go and some innings to go and when that day comes, if Tito gives me the ball, it'll be a big honor, but if he doesn't, it's no big deal."
While Lester succeeded in his strike-throwing mission, Papelbon struggled to do so. Not that he was trying to miss, of course. He just couldn't get the ball down.
The first man the Red Sox closer faced, Jason Kubel, doubled to right. The next, Steve Holm, was hit by a pitch up and in. A walk to Alexi Casilla loaded the bases and a sacrifice fly got the Twins on the board. Two more walks followed, and Papelbon was cooked.
Previously, Papelbon had thrown three perfect innings in Grapefruit League play.
Boston bench coach DeMarlo Hale, managing the team while Terry Francona was in Kissimmee for the game against Houston, thinks that just a minor tweak will get the righty back to normal.
"He struggled with command up in the zone," Hale said. "Still thought he had some life and thought he threw some splits that had some good action, but he was just up in the zone. I think it's something he can look back on and say, 'OK, I had some bite to my split,' [and make] a little adjustment back in the zone with his fastball."
Lester is scheduled to go again at Atlanta next Wednesday. He might get bumped to the following afternoon at home in order to avoid the long bus ride to Orlando. Either way, he would remain on track to start Opening Day, a game Papelbon would like to close. Hopefully, at that time, they are on the same page.
