10:32 AM EDT on Monday, August 1, 2005

BY JOE McDONALD
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON -- Jon Papelbon prefers to be called Jonathan. The young right-handed hurler also could be called the future of the Boston Red Sox' pitching staff.

Making his major-league debut for the Red Sox yesterday, Papelbon worked 5 1/3 innings while allowing three runs (two earned by way of a pair of solo homers) on four hits with five walks and seven strikeouts.

It has been an intense four-day span for the 24-year-old prospect.

He was informed on Thursday that he would be the starting pitcher for the Red Sox yesterday, which caused him to lose sleep for a few days. In fact, he said he was pitching on pure adrenaline.

"I was nervous," he said. "But, I think I was just trying to get all the butterflies flowing in the right direction. Luckily, I was able to do that and just go out there and let my ability take over."

The 6-foot-4, 230-pounder, who was selected by the Red Sox as their sixth pick (114th overall) in the 2003 draft, wowed the Fenway Faithful immediately. He struck out the first batter he faced -- the Twins' Shannon Stewart -- on three pitches. Papelbon then struck out Luis Rodriguez before getting Joe Mauer He received a standing ovation as he walked off after his first big-league inning. He said afterwards that getting the Twins in order calmed his nerves a bit.

"I wanted to start the game out just attacking hitters," he said. "I wanted to let them know that I was out there to win a ballgame and put my team in a position to win. I think once I got past that first inning, I settled down a little bit."

Papelbon escaped a jam in the fifth inning when he walked the bases loaded but was able to get the Twins' Terry Tiffee to fly out to right field.

"Everybody saw his stuff," said Boston manager Terry Francona , "and I think he had the poise to match, which is tremendous. We're in the middle of trying to be in first place and we start Papelbon, then we back him up with (Manny) Delcarmen. I bet there are some player development people and some scouts who have their chests pumped out today, and justifiably so.

"That's a pretty awesome day for our organization, Especially when (Papelbon and Delcarmen) perform and act the way they did."

Papelbon has been praised by the organization for his preparation and yesterday was no different. The young prospect was confident and loose prior to the game and as he sat quietly in front of his locker, veteran Curt Schilling patted him on the backside and gave him a bit of encouragement.

Papelbon also spent the pregame studying the scouting reports with his new battery mate, Jason Varitek. "He was unbelievable," said Papelbon. "I can't give that guy enough respect. With him catching, I felt 100 percent comfortable, and ninety percent of the time when he threw a sign down I already had the grip ready to go. For a pitcher, that's huge when you're on the same page, and if I didn't have that kind of catcher going out there for my first major league start I might not have been able to give my team a chance to win."

Thank you, may I have another?

Lost a bit during the hectic day for the Red Sox was the fact that Delcarmen, a Boston native, made his Fenway Park debut. He was recalled from the PawSox last Tuesday and made his major league debut that night in Tampa, tossing a perfect eighth inning.

Yesterday, the hard-throwing right-hander worked one-third of an inning with a walk and strikeout. When Francona walked out to the mound to replace him in the sixth inning, Delcarmen shook his hand.

"I'm not used to that," Francona said. "I liked it. Usually guys throw their hands up, yell or something. He was running for mayor and that's okay."

Bellhorn on way back

Red Sox second baseman Mark Bellhorn is scheduled to play in Pawtucket today as part of his rehab. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list on July 18 with a sprained left thumb after he dove for a ball up the middle. At the time of his injury, he was hitting a lowly .216 with seven homers and 28 RBI. His 109 strikeouts are second in the American League behind Seattle's Richie Sexson (110).

As a result of Bellhorn's injury, the Sox acquired Alex Cora and Tony Graffanino to play second base.

Bellhorn said the time off was a sort of relief. "It was good to get my mind on something else," he said. "You relax a lot more, so you don't have to deal with it."

Foulke progressing

According to Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein, closer Keith Foulke is ahead of schedule in his rehab. The right-hander was placed on the disabled list on July 6 and underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. He's been throwing off flat ground and Epstein said that Foulke is in better shape now than before the surgery. If and when Foulke returns to the bullpen, it's possible Curt Schilling could be stretched out enough to return to the starting rotation.

Around the horn

Switch-hitting outfielder Jose Cruz Jr. , who was acquired in a trade for a pair of minor-leaguers on Saturday, will join the Sox tomorrow. With Trot Nixon out with a strained left oblique muscle, Cruz, along with Gabe Kapler , adds depth to the outfield . . . First baseman John Olerud was removed from the game after the seventh inning after he "tweaked" his hamstring while running the bases . . . Greg Bonin, of Woonsocket, sang the national anthem yesterday as part of Rhode Island Day festivities at Fenway Park.