01:00 AM EST on Tuesday, March 7, 2006

BY SEAN McADAM
Journal Sports Writer

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Spring training is a time for mistakes, and by his own admission Josh Beckett made his share yesterday in his Grapefruit League debut for the Red Sox.

Facing the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Beckett was tagged for five runs in three innings of work -- two in the first and three more in the third. Julio Logo hit Beckett's fourth pitch of the game out to left, and three batters later Jonny Gomes The Devil Rays knocked him around for three more hits in the third, though the Sox came back to outscore the Rays, 8-2, over the final six innings and record an 8-7 victory.

"I didn't execute my pitches," said Beckett. "I left some balls in the middle of the plate to Gomes and Lugo. If I locate those pitches, they're not going to hit them."

Beckett said he wasn't troubled by the poor outing, but doesn't want them to continue.

"You definitely want to feel good (about yourself) coming out of spring training," he said.

"He looked strong," said manager Terry Francona ; "at times too strong. He was up with his fastball. But a healthy Beckett is exciting."

It had been assumed that Beckett would be the team's No. 2 starter, which would have put him in line to pitch the home opener on April 10 against Toronto.

But Francona said yesterday the Sox are leaning toward having Tim Wakefield as the second starter, behind Curt Schilling and before Beckett. That way, Wakefield's knuckler would break up the two power pitchers and offer a contrast to teams.

"If we start throwing [Beckett] out there against other No. 3s," said Francona, "that bodes well for us."

Baldelli scratched

Cumberland's Rocco Baldelli , who was scheduled to serve as the DH yesterday, was instead a last-minute scratch for the Rays because of flu-like symptoms. Baldelli missed all of last season, first with a torn ACL in his left knee, then with torn ligaments in his right elbow, which required Tommy John surgery.

"The knee is fine," said Baldelli before the game. "I haven't had any problems. I'm finishing up with my elbow rehab, but can't really play the field yet."

Baldelli, who had one of the best arms for a center fielder in the game, has been throwing at a distance of 135-150 feet every other day.

"I'm hoping to be out there by Opening Day in center field," he said.

Signed to a multiyear deal by the Rays last November, Baldelli is optimistic about the club's new ownership and management group, led by Stuart Sternberg, Matt Silverman and Andrew Friedman. "It's almost like a whole new organization," he said. "The new guys are awesome."

It behooves Baldelli to be healthy this season, since his new deal is largely incentive-laden. The three-year deal guarantees him $9 million -- $5 million in salary and a $4-million buyout -- but his 2006 base of $2 million jumps by $4 million if he gets 600 at-bats.

Here's the plan . . .

The Sox will have Matt Clement and Schilling throw to minor-leaguers at the complex in Fort Myers today, rather than have Schilling pitch against a division rival -- the Orioles visit City of Palms Park today -- or have either one of them travel across the state to Jupiter tomorrow.

David Pauley will start against the Marlins tomorrow, with Bronson Arroyo drawing the short straw Thursday against the Dodgers in Vero Beach -- the longest road trip of the spring.

Williams an instructor

Former Red Sox manager Jimy Williams is serving as a spring training instructor with the Devil Rays, working on infield play and baserunning. The Rays are hoping Williams can help B.J. Upton , a former No. 1 pick whose progress has stalled.

Williams is open to the possibility of working as a roving instructor once the season begins, but is unsure of the club's plans for him. He was hired by Tampa Bay executive Gerry Hunsicker , who hired Williams to manage the Houston Astros for the 2002 season, then fired him midway through the 2004 campaign.

Meanwhile, Williams' his oldest son, Brady , is set to work as a coach for the Rays' Class-A affiliate in the Midwest League.

Around the horn

Manny Ramirez will see his first game action this afternoon. He stayed back in Fort Myers yesterday to work with bench coach Brad Mills . . . . Josh Bard smacked a two-run double yesterday to account for the first two Red Sox runs. . . . Former Sox outfielder-first baseman Kevin Millar is expected to be with the Orioles when they play at Fort Myers today. Millar signed as a free agent with the O's over the winter. . . . Kevin Youkilis , his back to the plate, made a fine running catch down the right-field line to record the third out in the second inning. . . . With a short roster with which to travel, Francona had Dustan Mohr in center. "I want to see how he looks," said Francona. "[The ability to play center] has got to be part of the package [for the fourth outfielder]." Mohr belted a two-run homer, too. . . . Alejandro Machado and Josh Pressley added two-run singles.

smcadam@projo.com / (401) 277-7340