TAMPA - It was Clay Buchholz's turn to pitch on Tuesday. But rather than face the Yankees, he stayed behind in Fort Myers, Fla., and pitched in an intrasquad game.
The righthander threw what amounted to four innings. He allowed two hits and two walks while striking out two. Of his 59 pitches, 33 were strikes.
Nick Punto had both of the hits.
"I'm glad he's on my team. He had two pretty good swings,'' Buchholz said. "I was behind the count on both. The second at-bat was a 3-2 pitch and I threw it exactly where I wanted it. He's a good hitter.
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"I was a little rough around the edges. I don't think I threw a changeup for a strike. Little too quick on some pitches.''
Buchholz picked Punto off after one of his hits.
Buchholz said pitching on a practice field behind JetBlue Park took some getting used to.
"The atmosphere is different,'' he said. "You have to go out there and know you're working on certain things and try not to get too frustrated if some things don't go your way. It's different, but you still have to get your work in.''
Said manager Bobby Valentine: "I didn't see anything bad or really good. Just continuing the show.''
Buchholz pitched on three days' rest. Now he will get on a five-day routine to prepare for the season.
Yankees defeated
It was a good night for the pitchers at Steinbrenner Field as four Red Sox hurlers allowed four hits in a 1-0 victory against the Yankees.
Felix Doubront needed 75 pitches to get through four scoreless innings but he was effective, allowing two singles with one walk and three strikeouts.
Brett Gardner, Russell Martin, Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira, and Raul Ibanez were 2 for 8 against Doubront.
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"I feel very good today,'' Doubront said. "I showed what I got. I showed Valentine and the pitching coach that I've got something.''
Said Valentine: "I thought Felix was outstanding. He had really good control of his changeup, that's a devastating pitch for him. Good control and command of his fastball, his breaking ball was good.''
Michael Bowden, stepping up in competition, allowed a single by Andruw Jones before striking out the side. He has thrown 5 2/3 scoreless innings this spring, allowing one hit and striking out eight.
"I think it's more of a comfort thing,'' he said. "I feel very comfortable with the players, my teammates and the staff. It's a lot easier to go out there and play and pitch your game when you have that sense of comfort.''
Vicente Padilla pitched three scoreless innings before Junichi Tazawa closed it out.
The Sox took the lead in the ninth. Pedro Ciriaco drove a low liner to right that skipped past Zoilo Almonte. Ciriaco stopped at third then scored when the relay throw from second baseman David Adams was wild.
Two errors were charged on the play.
No Ozzie offense
When Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen was ejected Monday, Valentine playfully waved goodbye to him.
Guillen didn't see it. But when told Valentine waved, he responded with a profane expression. But Valentine was not offended.
"Isn't that his standard comment on everything he's asked about? Has he ever not said that about something?'' Valentine said.
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Guillen laughed it off, too.
"i have a lot respect for bobby v is good for this game we are ready to kick some butt crazy guy love crazy guys,'' he posted on Twitter.
Invisible man
Daniel Bard hasn't been named to the rotation yet. But listening to Valentine Tuesday certainly made it appear that was a formality.
"Bard's been so good he's been invisible. He hasn't been a part of the conversation,'' Valentine said.
"People questioned his windup; it's been impeccable. People were worried about his control; it's been fine. Wondered if he could develop more pitches; he threw 12 changeups last night. Seeing how he feels mentally and physically, that's been no problem. But he hasn't thrown six innings yet. He hasn't got hit yet, either. They haven't run on him, either.''
Bard has pitched in two games, throwing five scoreless innings.
Miller progressing
Andrew Miller, who missed his last start with a stiff elbow, threw in the bullpen. He could get into a game later this week. "I felt great, no problem with the elbow,'' Miller said. "I'm hoping I can get out there in a game soon, maybe as soon as Friday, but I haven't heard a definite date.'' . . . Ryan Sweeney, who left Monday's game with a strained left quad, was a little stiff Tuesday. Valentine said the injury was not serious . . . Jose Iglesias (right groin strain) is "really good,'' according to Valentine, and could play Thursday . . . Andrew Bailey reported no unusual soreness after his first outing of the season Monday . . . Carl Crawford (left wrist) isn't swinging a bat with both hands yet. But he did stand in the batter's box to track pitches while Daisuke Matsuzaka threw in the bullpen . . . Mike Aviles, who started at shortstop against the Yankees, turned 31 Tuesday. "I feel 29,'' he said . . . Bill Hall, who played for the Red Sox in 2010, is in Yankees camp trying to make the team as a utility player. "I feel good about my chances. I'm trying to stay positive,'' said Hall . . . The Red Sox have the first of their two scheduled days off Wednesday.
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Peter Abraham can be reached at pabraham@globe.com. Abraham reported from Tampa; Cafardo reported from Fort Myers.