FORT MYERS, Fla. — In the bottom of the first inning of the Red Sox’ exhibition game against the Dodgers on Thursday, center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury struck out in his first at-bat, making him 0-for-9 in Grapefruit League play this spring.

But starting in the second, Ellsbury put his stamp on the game.

Ellsbury made an outstanding running catch heading to the right-center gap to make an over-the-shoulder tumbling catch, robbing Xavier Paul of extra bases for the final out.

“Unbelievable,” marveled starter Tim Wakefield, who was on the mound at the time. “Just another example of how great he’s going to be.”

Then in the bottom of the inning, Ellsbury stroked a double to right-center to snap his hitless streak.

smcadam@projo.com