The Red Sox’ Doug Mirabelli, left, avoids the Twins’ Nick Punto as the second baseman throws out Coco Crisp at first base.

AP / Brita Meng Outzen

FORT MYERS, Fla. — The fifth spot in the starting rotation may be Clay Buchholz’s to lose, but the Red Sox right-hander isn’t viewing it that way.

“I don’t think that at all,” said Buchholz after his first spring outing yesterday. “I still have to go out and prove myself. Last year was last year. I had a good season, but then again, it’s a completely different year.

“Somebody’s going to win that spot. I’m just trying to make this squad and make the rotation coming out of spring training. There are probably four or five guys fighting for it. It’s going to be fun. I like the competition. If they were just going to give it to you, you would take it for granted. That’s not how it works. You have to go out and prove yourself.”

Buchholz had a rocky inning when he entered the game in the third, being tagged for four runs by the Minnesota Twins in the Sox’ 8-2 loss yesterday. However, he rebounded to retire the side in order in the fourth, needing just eight pitches.

“I think I was trying to throw too hard,” Buchholz said. “When I got back out there (for his second inning), I threw some two-seamers and let the pitches work for me, instead of trying to make them work.”

The Sox put Buchholz on a shoulder-strengthening program over the winter, and he felt the work paid off yesterday.

“I felt I could throw 90-93 mph,” he said, “without having to work. I could just throw.”

Wakefield impressive

Tim Wakefield got the start and tossed two scoreless innings, his first game action since the ALCS last October, when shoulder woes sidelined him for the World Series.

“(The shoulder) hasn’t come up in my mind,” said Wakefield.

Wakefield was the picture of efficiency, allowing one hit in two innings while throwing 25 pitches. After 17 major-league seasons, though, Wakefield still felt the usual first-start butterflies.

“Absolutely,” said Wakefield, smiling. “Warming up, I was a little nervous … anxious to get out there. It’s always nice to get that first one out of the way.”

Twins rise to occasion

After winning the first two meetings of the spring against the Twins, the Sox were in position to clinch the Mayor’s Cup with another victory yesterday, but fell short.

Before the game, manager Terry Francona jokingly wondered whether Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire would be forced into holding a team meeting before the third game of the spring.

“What will they have to play for (if they lose today),” cracked Francona.

But the Twins rose to the occasion in the potential elimination game and won.

Two more meetings remain — Friday and March 12.

“We may have to make some changes to our rotation,” said Francona.

“We took a deep shot into their bow today,” said Gardenhire. “They’ve had enough champagne over there to last a couple of years.”

Charity fundraiser

The Sox were still buzzing yesterday morning about a charity fundraiser for Mike Lowell’s Foundation held Saturday night at the Hyatt in Bonita Springs.

Included in the evening was a “Dancing with the All-Stars” event, with players teamed with professional dancers.

“I was laughing so hard I was crying,” said Francona. “(Dustin) Pedroia? A moron. He looked like a puppet on a string. It was hilarious.”

Alex Cora, Lowell and Jonathan Papelbon also took part in the dancing event. More than $190,000 was raised for the foundation.

Snyder starts today

The Sox travel to Jupiter today to play the Florida Marlins, with Kyle Snyder pitching for the Sox. The Marlins have agreed to let the Sox use the DH.

Back in Fort Myers, the Sox and Twins will play a “B” game, with Josh Beckett pitching. Jason Varitek will catch and Sean Casey will play first. The game is free and open to the public.

Before the game, Bartolo Colon will throw his first bullpen session, with pitching coach John Farrell evaluating his progress.

Colon would like to pitch in a game Sunday, while the Sox are tentatively planning for him to pitch on March 15.

Around the bases

Craig Hansen’s first Grapefruit League appearance was shaky. He pitched the ninth and allowed four runs while walking three and hitting a batter. … Lowell accounted for the first Red Sox run with his first homer of the spring, a solo shot to left off Livan Hernandez. … Pedroia turned in the defensive play of the afternoon, ranging far to his left to make a diving stab of a smash by Brian Buscher, then throwing out the Twins’ infielder at first for the final out in the top of the second. … When the Sox travel for back-to-back road games on the East Coast next week — Sunday in Vero Beach against the Dodgers and Monday in Port St. Lucie against the Mets — team ownership has decided to spring for charter flights, turning a three-hour bus ride into a 23-minute flight.

smcadam@projo.com