ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — When Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka arrived at Tropicana Field yesterday morning, he was told he would have a new batterymate for his 22nd start of the season.

Because he caught all of Saturday’s 4:38 marathon, which the Sox won in 12 innings, catcher Jason Varitek was given yesterday off, so Doug Mirabelli caught Matsuzaka for the first time this season. Dice-K, who suffered the loss despite a solid performance, reported no particular problems after the club’s 5-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

The threesome conferred prior to the game, and the preparation paid dividends.

“It was what I thought it was going to be,” Mirabelli said. “He mixes all of his pitches, and I watch him from the side all the time. It’s one of those things when you’re back there, does the ball look like what you think it does? It did, pretty much.”

He also said the communication was “fine,” and when he needed to talk to his pitcher he kept the conversation quick and to the point.

“I think they did a good job,” Sox manager Terry Francona said. “There were no problems.”

Mirabelli, who usually catches just Tim Wakefield, worked a little bit with Matsuzaka during spring training.

“Not much,” Francona said. “During spring training, we have everybody rotate with everybody, but Tek caught the majority of Dice-K because we’re trying to get them familiar [with each other]. But it’s not surprising that this happens once or twice a year. Actually, in the long run, it’s probably good. Jason and I talked about it after (Saturday’s) game; it forces you to do something that ends up being good.”

Mirabelli handled the task just fine. He made two solid plays in the bottom of the first inning, catching a low popup on a bunt attempt by the Rays’ Brendan Harris. He also threw out Akinori Iwamura attempting to steal second base.

Caution with Timlin

Red Sox reliever Mike Timlin has not pitched since last Monday in Cleveland. The veteran right-hander said his shoulder is a little sore, but he’s expected to throw again tomorrow. Francona was asked if there was thought of placing Timlin on the DL, but the manager doesn’t think that will be the case.

“We try to do the right thing,” said Francona. “If you get to a point where the right thing looks like it’s longer, then I know we maybe have to look at different things, but I don’t think that’s where we’re at now. We’re hopeful he’ll be able to pitch on Tuesday.”

Timlin, who has worked 16 scoreless innings in his last 11 outings, spent the early part of the season on the DL, and also made a rehab appearance in Pawtucket.

“It was a little bit achy, so we decided to lay off,” Timlin said yesterday morning. “Give it some time off so it doesn’t flare up. It’s getting better. Rest isn’t always fun, but rest is good … as much as no one likes to admit it, especially me, I’m getting older. I don’t rebound as fast as I would like to. … This is a team concept, it’s not a sprint. If I’m able to take some rest in the middle of the race so I can finish, then we’ll do that.”

Timlin said a trip to the disabled list is the furthest thing from his mind.

Remember when . . .

Cal Ripken played the last game of his career on Oct. 6, 2001 against the Red Sox at Baltimore. The Orioles lost that game, 5-1, and Wakefield remembers the day. Ripken, along with Tony Gwynn, were inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame yesterday afternoon, and even though the Red Sox were closing out their road trip in Tampa, Wakefield wants to see a rebroadcast of the ceremony.

“I’m hoping to,” said Wakefield. “I would like to.”

Of his 3,001 career games, Ripken played 239 against the Red Sox, third-most behind the Yankees (246) and Toronto (242).

“He’s a guy who exemplifies true professionalism,” said Wakefield. “I remember in 2001, his last game we were there, and I was in the bullpen that night. I usually go down in the first inning, but I waited until they took the field, and I think it was in the top of the second inning, he was taking ground balls at third. I went by and said, ‘Congratulations, and it’s been a pleasure playing against you for all these years.’ He’s a true gentleman.”

Ripken hit .263 against Boston pitching, and recorded a .231 mark against Wakefield, with two homers and seven RBI.

Around the bases

Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia was back in the lineup yesterday after missing two games with a sore right side, which he injured while diving for a ball last week in Cleveland. … Red Sox Nation was in full force at The Trop over the weekend. A total of 104,055 fans attended the three-game series, the largest three-day total since Aug. 6-8, 1999, against the Indians.

jmcdonal@projo.com