George Kottaras, handed the No. 2 catching job on Wednesday, responded Thursday with a 3-for-4 effort on Thursday.

Kottaras and pitcher Tim Wakefield played in the Red Sox Triple-A game. Those minor league games can be manipulated, so Kottaras batted second in each of the first four innings. One of his hits was a double.

Wakefield threw five scoreless innings, allowing 1 hit, and striking out 3.

After the game, Wakefield told the Boston Herald he felt bad that catcher Josh Bard was waived, but added. "On the other side, Georgie did a tremendous job today. I have the utmost confidence in him that he'll be able to last all season long ..."

In Boston's major league spring game Wednesday night, Jed Lowrie went 3-for-4 with a double and home run (batting left-handed against Bronson Arroyo). Lowrie is batting .462 this spring.

Lowrie's numbers went down toward the end of last year, prompting doubts on his ability to be the everyday shortstop. But Lowrie played with a small fracture in his left wrist. He's healthy now, and the results so far are encouraging.

Daniel Bard pitched Wednesday night (1 IP, 2 H, 1 K ... ERA still at 0.00) ... also outfielder Ryan Kalish - a prospect who could be in Portland by mid-summer - hit a 3-run triple.

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