01:00 AM EDT on Thursday, June 22, 2006

BY CAROLYN THORNTON and STEVEN KRASNER
Journal Sports Writers

BOSTON -- The Red Sox, seeking to fortify their recently depleted starting rotation, yesterday acquired veteran right-hander Jason Johnson from the Cleveland Indians for a player to be named or cash.

To make room for Johnson, the Sox optioned right-hander Kyle Snyder to Pawtucket. Snyder, who had been claimed off waivers from the Royals last week, earned a win over Washington with five solid innings Monday night.

Johnson, meanwhile, had been designated for assignment by the Indians on Monday. He already has been slated to start for Boston on July 1 on the road against the Marlins, which is the next time the Red Sox need a fifth starter because of off-days this week and next.

Johnson, 32, was 3-8 with a 5.96 earned-run average in 14 starts for the Indians. He has pitched in the big leagues for all or parts of 10 seasons. The Red Sox are his sixth team.

The Sox are hoping that Johnson, a 6-foot-6, 220-pound sinkerballer, will thrive in Boston because of the team's outstanding infield defense. Johnson, who took the 40-man roster spot vacated by J.T. Snow, who was designated for assignment on Monday, is expected to be in uniform for tomorrow night's game.

Interestingly, in shuttling in Snyder and Johnson, the Red Sox of 2006 are looking like the Yankees of 2005. New York was strapped for starting pitching because of injuries a year ago, and out of desperation tried to capture lightning in a bottle with Darrell May, Tim Redding, Al Leiter, Aaron Small and Shawn Chacon. Small and Chacon paid dividends, helping New York win the division.

It's settled: Loretta

The first option for the Red Sox at first base is second baseman Mark Loretta.

Manager Terry Francona convened a brief meeting with veteran infielders Mike Lowell and Loretta during Tuesday night's game, asking which player would be more comfortable moving over to first in case a backup to Kevin Youkilis was needed now that Snow has been axed.

"I asked who's better, and Loretta said, 'Me,' " said Francona with a chuckle. "So that was that."

Loretta played in 70 games (32 starts) for Milwaukee in 1998 and felt comfortable playing the position, if needed. His first baseman's mitt, though, was back at his home in San Diego. He joked that maybe he'd use his second baseman's glove if he had to go in. More likely, he'd borrow a glove.

Flawless afield

Boasting a league-leading fielding percentage of .991 heading into yesterday's game, the Red Sox have been playing error-free baseball since June 11.

Including last night's win over Washington, they have gone 10 straight games without a misplay, matching an errorless streak from Sept. 26-Oct. 5, 1986.

N.L. pushovers

After having been swept in Minnesota last week, Boston has swept each of its last two series, against Atlanta and Washington.

The Sox now are 8-1 against National League opponents, winning six straight since dropping a 10-5 decision to Philadelphia on May 21.

Including this week's sweep of the Nationals, the Sox have won their last nine home series in interleague play since losing two of three to St. Louis June 10-12, 2003. They are 21-6 when hosting N.L. teams during that stretch.

For the record . . .

David Ortiz's second-inning grand slam on an 88-mph fastball was his first since last July 15, when he hit one against the Yankees.

Four of his five career grand slams have been as a member of the Red Sox, yet all five -- including the one he hit as a Minnesota Twin -- have come at Fenway.

Ortiz is one of only three players all time to have hit five grand slams in the same ballpark.

Around the bases

Dustan Mohr, who had been designated for assignment last Friday, declined an assignment to Pawtucket and thus became a free agent . . . Jason Varitek batted with the bases loaded for the 18th time this season, tops on the team, in the first. He bounced out to second. He's now 3 for 18 in such situations, including a grand slam . . . Alex Gonzalez has hit safely in 15 of his last 19 games . . . Loretta notched his 28th multiple-hit game of the season and fourth in his last five games.

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

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