BOSTON — If this was Paul Byrd’s final audition for a start in the American League Division Series, he didn’t do a whole lot to distinguish himself.

Byrd was knocked around in his five innings of work last night, giving up four runs on 11 hits before being lifted in favor of Mike Timlin. The Red Sox went on to a 5-4 win in a game that carried a bit of a spring training feel, especially since Tampa Bay all but sewed up its first American League East title with an 11-6 comeback win at Baltimore. The Rays’ magic number is now one.

After Byrd blew an early 4-0 lead, the Red Sox battled back to win for the fourth time in the last six games. The critical blow came in the bottom of the eighth, when pinch-hitter Jeff Bailey crushed a triple off the Green Monster in left-center. Mark Kotsay followed with a hot RBI single to right for a 5-4 lead.

While thrilled that his team bailed him out, Byrd wasn’t thrilled that he couldn’t hold the lead. He had hoped to pitch well to not only beat his former team but also even his season record (11-12).

“When my team spots me a four-run lead in the first off a pretty good pitcher, that game’s got to be over. I have to take command and take control and not let them back in it. That’s what’s very frustrating. The game needed to be over,” he said.

Byrd said, “Thankfully, we won the game. That’s the good news. That gets me three hours of sleep instead of no hours.”

With a playoff appearance locked up for the fifth time in the last six seasons, the Sox are playing out the string this week with a large eye on a likely matchup with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Besides health issues clouding the availability of J.D. Drew and Mike Lowell, the Red Sox’ other big decision centers on their pitching staff.

Manager Terry Francona is bound to start Josh Beckett, Jon Lester and Daisuke Matsuzaka — likely in that order — in the first three games of the series. But whether Byrd or Tim Wakefield starts a fourth game is unclear, and that’s if the need for a fourth starter even develops.

Entering last night’s games, the Angels and Rays were separated by two games for the best record in the A.L. If the Angels hang on, they’ll be able to choose which series format to play next week. They can select the series that starts on Wednesday in which five games are played in eight days. Or they could host Game One on Thursday and play a potential five games over seven days.

The Wednesday start would require only a three-man rotation, with the first two starters coming back on regular rest for the fourth and fifth games. The Thursday option would require four starters.

“We already know what we’re going to do, regardless of when we play,” Francona said yesterday.

He refused to divulge anything further, and the Angels haven’t shown their cards, either. L.A. boasts a high-flying trio of starters in John Lackey (12-4), Ervin Santana (16-6) and Joe Saunders (16-7). Jered Weaver (11-10) and Jon Garland (11-10) are contending for the fourth start if one is needed.

There has been some thought that the Angels are favoring the early series and a three-man rotation, but no official word can come until the top seed in the American League is decided.

“We kind of reserve the right to say anything. There’s no reason for us to,” said Francona. “When we know where, when, we’ll lay it out publicly. We haven’t even talked to our pitchers yet.”

Byrd said he’s hoping to be included in Francona’s playoff plans, but is willing to do anything to help the Red Sox win games.

The veteran said he’d be more than happy to be available for duty out of the bullpen in a quest for his first World Series ring.

“I’ve been in the playoffs before, so that says something. It’s not my first time,” he said. “I would love to help our team in the playoffs in whatever capacity that is, but that’s not for me to decide. That’s up to Terry. I’m just glad that I won’t be going home in a week.”

Asked if he’d be disappointed if he wasn’t included on the Division Series roster, Byrd said, “I think so, just because I’m a competitor and nobody wants to sit on the bench. I would certainly understand if Terry feels that’s the right move.”

Byrd allowed a run in the second, two more in the third and the tying run in the fifth.

He left in favor of Timlin, who combined with David Aardsma to shut out the Indians for the next three innings.

After Bailey’s triple and Kotsay’s go-ahead RBI in the eighth, Manny Delcarmen came on and picked up his second save of the season in the ninth.

“I’m still looking for my first ring, and I’m with a team that has a chance to do that,” said Byrd. “I’d love to help this team out if I could. If I need to be a cheerleader and be a reserve, that’s [Francona’s] decision and we’ll go from there.”

kmcnamar@projo.com