ANAHEIM, Calif. — If there was something Terry Francona wished he avoided in the final few games of the season, it was a blowup outing by closer Jonathan Papelbon.

On Sunday against the Yankees, Francona sent Papelbon into the first game of a doubleheader to get some work in and stay fresh. But he was knocked around instead, to the tune of four hits, one walk and three runs in one full inning.

As he came off the field and entered the dugout, Papelbon was seen throwing his glove and kicking some balls.

“The other day was miserable (weather-wise),” Francona said. “We were trying to get him some (easy work) and that was the one thing you don’t want to happen. But he’s fine. His velocity is fine. That is the one fear you have. You’re trying to get those touchups but that was just a bad outing. We’ll lean on him. If we’re getting to where we have to go, we’ll lean on him.”

Papelbon could easily be used for more than three outs in this series. The extra off-days will allow Francona some flexibility in the late innings.

“You realize we have a day off (today). If you have a lead, you try to keep it,” said Francona. “If you have a lead, you might go to guys a bit earlier. No reason to save Pap for Thanksgiving. We’ve tried to work him along the way so we will have him (ready).”

kmcnamar@projo.com