Toronto second baseman Aaron Hill throws to first base for a double play, after forcing out David Ortiz yesterday.

AP / Adrian Wyld

TORONTO — The Red Sox and Yankees begin renewing acquaintances tonight when they open a three-game series at Fenway Park.

Ah, big deal, said Boston manager Terry Francona, who tries not to place more importance on any game the team plays except the game at hand.

“I know the games will be a lot of fun, it will be exciting, Fenway will be electric, there will be a million media, but we beat on each other so much,” said Francona.

Tavarez’s emotions run high

Julian Tavarez had not pitched since April 7.

But the veteran right-hander was sharp yesterday, especially through five innings when the only blemish on his day was a high sinker that Frank Thomas deposited over the fence in left-center, tying the game at 1-1 in the second.

Tavarez needed 65 pitches to get through five innings. But before Francona could get a right-hander up in the bullpen, Tavarez seemed to lose it. He was cuffed for a homer by Alex Rios, a single by Adam Lind and, after a wild pitch on an 0-and-2 offering to Vernon Wells, he surrendered a double to Wells that put Toronto on top, 3-1, and finished his day.

Overall, though, it was a solid effort, especially given the layoff, which he tried to combat by throwing side sessions and facing hitters.

“It was in the mind,” said Tavarez. “If I think I haven’t pitched in 13 or 14 days, there’s no way you can go out there and compete. I just had to be aggressive and not walk anybody and get through as many innings as quickly as I could.”

Of the 16 outs he racked up, 10 came on ground balls and four on strikeouts. One thing Tavarez didn’t forget was how to point to first base, directing his infielders where to throw after they picked up a ground ball. “I don’t even know I’m doing that until I look at TV and see how funny I look out there,” joked Tavarez. “I’m a very emotional guy. My mind is always in the game.”

Papelbon on call

The Sox are going to be careful with Jonathan Papelbon this season because of the shoulder injury he suffered in the second half of last season.

So it will be interesting to see if they call on him tonight against the Yankees if a save is on the line because he has worked in each of the last two games, racking up two more saves.

Wednesday night, the flame-throwing right-hander threw 20 pitches. And yesterday he threw 26, most of them fastballs in the mid-to-high 90s.

Rios gave him a battle yesterday, spoiling several untouchable fastballs in a 10-pitch confrontation, won by Papelbon on a game-ending flyout to right.

That makes it 46 high-voltage pitches in a span of less than 24 hours, actually, given the fact Wednesday night’s game ended around 9:30 p.m. and yesterday’s finished up around 3:30 p.m.

Manny’s bat awakes

Finally, Manny Ramirez was able to show off his home-run trot.

And at a clutch time.

Ramirez launched his first homer of the season in the eighth inning, a two-run shot to center that tied the game at 3-3, setting the stage for the Sox’ comeback 5-3 victory.

Tavarez said Ramirez gave him a hug after returning to the bench.

“He said, ‘Watch out, Manny’s back,’ ” said Tavarez.

It was the 471st homer of Ramirez’s career, leaving him three behind the Yanks’ Alex Rodriguez for eighth place among active players.

Francona praises Varitek

Francona bristled at the notion that he should insert Doug Mirabelli more often and sit Jason Varitek more, even though Mirabelli’s offensive contributions in far fewer at-bats is superior to what Varitek has been offering the offense.

“Jason’s our captain. He’s our catcher. Playing Mirabelli two days in a row is not like playing Wily Mo [Pena] two days in a row to get his at-bats. [Sitting] back-to-back for ’Tek doesn’t help him. He’ll go down to the bullpen and catch everyone anyway so he doesn’t get sluggish,” said Francona.

“When we get hits from Mirabelli, that’s good. But Jason’s our catcher.”

skrasner@projo.com