TAMPA, Fla. - Red Sox pitcher Bartolo Colon didn’t seem fazed by his subpar performance against the Yankees yesterday. The right-hander allowed four runs on three hits with three walks and two strikeouts in only two-thirds of an inning. He threw 41 pitches (21 strikes). In his first start, against the Rays on March 13, Colon worked two solid innings, allowing one run on two hits with one walk and one strikeout. He said after yesterday’s game that he actually felt stronger yesterday; it was just his command that was off.

Manager Terry Francona agreed.

“That’s exactly what we saw,” said the manager. “We got to a point in the first inning where we started to worry about leaving him out there. We wanted to get him to 50 pitches, but not in the first 10 minutes of the game. His arm strength is good and his attitude is outstanding.”

Colon will remain in Florida when the team heads to Japan and pitch in a minor-league game. He will join and pitch for the Red Sox in Los Angeles when the team returns from Japan for a set of exhibition games against the Dodgers.

Management has been impressed with Colon’s arm strength and work ethic.

“He’s going to help us win some games,” said Francona. “We all feel that way, and I’m glad he feels that way.”

-JOE McDONALD