FORT MYERS, Fla. — Former Sox pitcher Derek Lowe was roughed up – four runs on six hits in just two innings – Thursday in his start for the Dodgers against the Red Sox, but nonetheless enjoyed the experience.“As crazy as it sounds, I did enjoy it,” said Lowe. “I got to catch up with some of the guys”

Once on the mound, though, the afternoon turned sour for Lowe.

“I really struggled with arm path,” said Lowe. “The hitters will tell you how good your stuff is. I think I had one groundball out and countless doubles.”

Lowe has been gone from the Sox for three seasons, but still views his experience in a positive light.

“I enjoyed the guys on the team,” he said.”(Boston) is a fun place to play as a player. There are sellouts everywhere they go. No one is every going to take (the 2004 title away), but they’ve moved on without us and now we’re trying to get where they’ve been – (being) a consistent playoff team.”

Lowe watched the 2007 postseason intently and isn’t afraid to say he was pulling for his former team.

“I always root for them,” he said. “When you play for a team so long and get to know a lot of the people still there, you always root for them. I want them to have success.”

Around the bases

• The Sox bullpen blew a 5-2 lead in the ninth when Hunter Jones surrendered a game-tying three-run homer to Luke May, and Lee Gronkiewicz gave up a grand slam to Jason Repko for a 9-6 win for the Dodgers. Dustin Pedroia had a two-run single in the second inning.

• Julio Lugo (lower back) sat out again, but is scheduled to be back in the lineup Friday afternoon when they host Minnesota. A split-squad team will head across Alligator Alley to play the Baltimore Orioles. The travel squad will include Kevin Youkilis, Ellsbury, Alex Cora and Mike Lowell.

• Francisco Liriano, who missed all of last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, will make his Grapefruit League debut for the Twins.

• The Sox can clinch the Mayor Cup with a win Friday.

• The Sox hosted the baseball team from Bluffton University at Thursday’s game. The team was involved in a tragic bus crash March 2, 2007 in Georgia when the school was en route to Florida to play games, with five players killed and 20 others injured. During yesterday’s game, a handful of players and Red Sox COO Mike Dee visited with the players.

smcadam@projo.com