Red Sox-Astros: Jonathan Papelbon's Performance a Headache in 10-7 Loss

Southpaw Jon Lester allowed three runs and struck out seven batters over 5.1 innings in his start this afternoon in Fort Myers, but the Houston Astros scored six runs off closer Jonathan Papelbon in the seventh inning to propel the visitors to a 10-7 victory in a split-squad game that was called after eight innings because of rain.

Papelbon retired just one batter in his stint.

The Astros jumped out to a quick lead in the top of the first inning on doubles by 2B Kaz Matsui and 1B Geoff Blum. The Sox responded with five runs of their own in the bottom of the second inning on home runs by Mike Cameron (two-run) and Dustin Pedroia (three-run).

The Astros answered back in the next frame courtesy of a two-run shot by Matsui.

Houston added a run in the sixth inning to creep to within a run, and Boston scored two more in the bottom of the inning, sending the contest into the seventh inning at 7-4.

But Papelbon came into the game and was hit early and often. He retired only one batter while surrendering six runs (five earned) on five hits, a walk, and a hit batsman. Three of the hits were doubles that were all crushed.

Manager Terry Francona explained, “(Papelbon) had a migraine today. He wanted to get his work in and you could tell the whole inning he wasn’t himself. The good news is he got his work in. The flip side is he didn’t fare very well and we didn’t make a couple of plays. That didn’t help. But I think he had a tough day physically.”

Jacoby Ellsbury went 3-for-4. Pedroia had four RBI, including a three-run homer (his first of the spring). Cameron went 2-for-2 with a two-run homer.

Boston’s other split-squad game in Dunedin against the Toronto Blue Jays was rained out.

Red Sox RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka got his first game activity of the spring, pitching in an intrasquad game against the minor leaguers. He is scheduled to appear in his first Grapefruit League game on Thursday against the Marlins.