01:00 AM EST on Saturday, March 11, 2006

BY SEAN McADAM
Journal Sports Writer

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Last weekend, it was John Flaherty's audition. Yesterday, it was time for Josh Bard.

For the first time in a game situation this spring, Bard caught knuckleballer Tim Wakefield. Flaherty struggled. Bard's debut was smoother.

Bard caught the four innings Wakefield worked in the 9-4 win over the Philadelphia Phillies and while he fought a few pitches -- Wakefield was charged with two wild pitches -- he was otherwise impressive.

"Every day is going to be a learning experience," Bard said. "Toward the end, I got more comfortable as to when to (try to) block it in the dirt or pick at it (with the glove). That's the tough part, but it's coming. It's a bit of an experiment, but I thought today was a good day."

Said Wakefield: "I threw some in the dirt, and he did a good job blocking them. For the most part, I felt really comfortable (throwing the knuckler)."

Bard has been trying to soften some mitts to deal with the knuckler. "I want it really floppy so if I catch it on the side (of the glove), it might have a little forgiveness."

With Jason Varitek playing in the World Baseball Classic, Flaherty retired and Ken Huckaby still out with a sore knee, the Sox are looking for catching help to get them through spring training.

"It's tough,"' said manager Terry Francona, "because they don't want to overpay for someone to come in for two weeks in spring training."

The Sox inquired about Arizona's Kohie Hill, who is out of options, but found the asking price too high. They may talk to Toronto about Jason Phillips.

Murphy blasts out

Before yesterday, it had been a slow spring for outfielder David Murphy. The former No. 1 pick was just 1-for-11 when he belted a three-run homer in the fifth and added a two-run blast in the seventh, using what Francona called "two very pretty swings."

Murphy, who will open the season in Pawtucket, said: "I think I just forced myself to relax. I've been very tense at the plate -- just being (in camp) is such a thrill. But things worked out today."

It helped Murphy's confidence that the homers came off established major leaguers -- the three-run belt was off Cory Lidle and the two-run shot was off Aquilino Lopez.

"It felt great," said Murphy. "It's all about getting locked in. I want to get my good swings in. I'm just happy to put the good part of the bat on the ball."

Traffic delays Phils

For the second straight day, transportation delays struck, this time hitting the opposition.

The Phillies' trip from Clearwater to Fort Myers, which normally takes 2 1/2 hours, took almost 5 1/2 hours because an oil slick on the Skyway Bridge near St. Petersburg slowed traffic to a crawl. The start of the game was delayed from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

WBC eliminations swell ranks

With some teams facing first-round elimination in the World Baseball Classic, the Sox are expecting Adam Stern (Canada), Trent Durington (Australia) and Lenny DiNardo (Italy) to return to camp this weekend. . . . Trot Nixon stroked his first home run of the spring, a shot off the light pole in right. . . . Manny Ramirez drove a single to center in the first inning, making him 3-for-3. He was retired on his next trip to the plate. . . . Former Patriots tight end Russ Francis visited the press box. . . . Curt Schilling faces the Pirates today in Bradenton. Josh Beckett will pitch at the minor-league complex.

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