Boston Red Sox defeat San Diego Padres, 9-3

Manager Terry Francona yesterday reiterated he will continue platooning three players at second and third base for the foreseeable future even if one or two of the players gets hot at the plate.

Nomar Garciaparra returned to shortstop Wednesday, forcing Pokey Reese to the bench. Last night Mark Bellhorn sat as Reese made his season debut at second base.

"You just have to be ready every day," Bellhorn said. "You always want to play. But there are a lot of good players...

With the Red Sox leading, 3-1, and runners on second and third in the fifth inning, San Diego manager Bruce Bochy decided to intentionally walk Manny Ramirez, loading the bases for Nomar Garciaparra.

The shortstop, in his second game since returning from an Achilles' injury, made Bochy pay as he doubled in his first two runs of the season with a drive high off the Wall to break the game open as the Sox scored five runs in the inning en route to a 9-3 rout before 35,068 ...