FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) – Scott Erickson improved his bid for the No. 5 spot in the Los Angeles’ Dodgers rotation with four strong innings in their 2-1 win over the Boston Red Sox on Thursday.

The 37-year-old Erickson had his third straight solid outing, allowing one run on two hits while striking out five and walking one. In nine innings of spring training, he’s allowed one run on three hits with six strikeouts and two walks. The only run he allowed Thursday came on Manny Ramirez’s second homer.

That gave Boston a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning before Los Angeles scored twice in the sixth when Jose Valentin hit a two-run homer after Ricky Ledee singled.

Before the game, At least six Red Sox players were tested as part of major league baseball’s program to curb steroid use. Team vice president Mike Port said six to 12 players were tested but he was not allowed to give out names.

The Dodgers brought only a few regulars to the road game, leaving behind three free agents signed in the offseason – J.D. Drew, Jeff Kent and former Boston pitcher Derek Lowe. Lowe pitched Tuesday.

The Red Sox were held to three hits – Ramirez’s homer and singles by Trot Nixon and Hanley Ramirez.

Boston starter Tim Wakefield also pitched well, going three hitless innings with three strikeouts and three walks. His outing was pushed back a day when Boston’s road game against Florida on Wednesday was canceled by rain.

Loser Bronson Arroyo also pitched three innings and gave up four hits, including Valentin’s first homer of the exhibition season.

The Dodgers used three pitchers in the ninth to hang on to the lead. Duaner Sanchez gave up a leadoff single to Hanley Ramirez then got Shawn Wooten on an infield popup. Mike Venafro relieved and retired pinch-hitter Adam Hyzdu on a fly to left.

Kenny Perez then reached on Venafro’s error, moving Hanley Ramirez to second. Aquilino Lopez, a minor league free agent, replaced Venafro and ended the game by throwing a called third strike past Tim Hummel.

Notes:Boston 1B Roberto Petagine returned to Boston for arthroscopic surgery to repair a partially torn meniscus in his left knee. The 33-year-old Venezuelan spent the last six seasons playing in Japan before signing a minor league contract with the Red Sox on Feb. 8. … Dodgers CF Jason Repko went 2-for-4 and was the only batter with more than one hit. He hit .311 at Triple-A Las Vegas last year and is expected to start the season in the minors.