Notes: Red Sox sweep split-squad doubleheader

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By MaureenMullen
CSNNE.com

FORT MYERS, Fla.The Red Sox swept their split-squad doubleheader Tuesday, beating the Astros, 3-2, at City of Palms Park, and defeating the Cardinals in Jupiter, 8-7.

At home, Josh Beckett went 3 23 innings, giving up one run on three hits with one walk with four strikeouts. Dennys Reyes earned the win pitching a scoreless eighth inning with a walk and a strikeout. Matt Fox got the save with three swinging strikeouts in the ninth. Nate Spears single in the eighth scored Paul Hoover with the winning run. Jonathan Papelbon and Daniel Bard each pitched one scoreless inning.

In Jupiter, Stolmy Pimentel started and went 1 23 innings, giving up two runs on five hits with a walk and two strikeouts. Clevelan Santeliz got the win, throwing two scoreless innings with three strikeouts. Kyle Fernandes earned the save. The Red Sox scored four runs in the eighth for the win. Jacoby Ellsbury went 3-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI.

Outfielder Mike Cameron, who hasnt played since Thursday, said his left knee has been bothering him, but expects to serve as the designated hitter Wednesday night against the Orioles.

His left knee is a little sore, said manager Terry Francona. He has a little tendinitis. He could have played today. We just didnt think it made sense to play him today and then maybe limp for the next week. Were not in a pennant race right now so we want him to feel good.

Roger Clemens was in attendance at City of Palms Park to watch his son Koby start at first base, batting sixth, for the Astros. The father watched from a suite as his son went 0-for-4.

Asked how it felt facing the younger Clemens, Beckett replied:

"Pretty old. I've played against both of them. I don't know, I think some more of that stuff is going to happen. Cameron and them always tease me. Cameron actually came up to me today and said something about it. He said, 'Man, you're getting old, man, facing sons of guys that you've faced . . . ' "

Chris Johnson, the son of Sox first base coach Ron Johnson, started at third base for the Astros. The pair exchanged lineup cards at home plate before the game. Astros manager and former Sox bench coach Brad Mills, whose son Beau was the No. 1 pick of the Indians in 2007, enjoyed watching the family ties this afternoon.

Its fun for me, but its great for these kids, Mills said. These guys want to be able to play in front of their dads and so forth. And I think its great. Its something that I miss every now and then. I dont get to see my son much. But I think its good. Thats pretty cool.

The Red Sox 109-game spring training sellout streak, going back to March 16, 2003, ended with this game.

Due to an unfortunate scheduling conflict, todays game was a late add-on to our spring training schedule, said Katie Haas, Red Sox director of Florida operations, in a statement. We werent able to include it in the normal sales process, including season ticket renewals, and this created extra ticket inventory for this particular game. Last week we announced that some of that inventory would be used in a special promotion to show our appreciation to Lee County by providing discounted tickets to residents and fans visiting Southwest Florida.

We are glad a number of people were able to be a part of the promotion, and they came out to enjoy a game and join us in recognizing a number of Lee County nonprofits and community groups who serve those in need in the area. The Red Sox organization is extremely fortunate to have the most passionate and dedicated fans in all of sports, and we want to thank them for their incredible, sustained commitment to this team. We look forward to starting a new streak with Red Sox Nation and carrying it with us to our new spring training home in 2012.

Maureen Mullen is on Twitter athttp:twitter.commaureenamullen

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