Clay Buchholz showed some of his potential in a major league exhibition game start Thursday. Meanwhile, Jonathan Papelbon gave the Red Sox a scare, when he showed a slight limp after covering first base.

Buchholz, a high draft pick in 2005, shut out the Tampa Bay Devil Rays thorugh four innings. He was tagged for four hits and three runs in the fifth. His fastball showed life (but not always command), his change-up worked, and his curve came around.

"He accounted for himself very well," said Red Sox manager Terry Francona. "He just needs to go pitch."

And that he will, starting in Portland next week.

Francona popped out of the dugout quickly in the ninth when Papelbon appeared to hurt his ankle while covering first. Papelbon was off balance when he landed his right foot on the base.

"I just rolled my ankle," said Papelbon who, after being checked out, continued to throw. He pitched a 1-2-3 ninth with two strikeouts.

Argenis Diaz, a 20-year-old shortstop from Guatire, VZ, flashed the leather, as well as hitting a home run in the bottom of the ninth, tying the game 3-3. That is how it ended.

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