FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) – David Wells allowed two runs in his first outing of spring training Saturday, then looked ahead to his regular-season debut with the Boston Red Sox.

It could come on opening night against his old team, the Yankees, when the longtime rivals meet April 3 in New York. Boston ace Curt Schilling might not be ready yet after offseason ankle surgery. “I don’t have any problem with it,” Wells said. “I don’t mind taking the ball in any game no matter what, especially a big game, and the first game of the season is going to be a big game. Boston’s coming in there world champions and New York is pretty bitter about what happened last year.”

The Yankees won the first three games of the 2004 AL championship series, then lost the last four to Boston in an unprecedented collapse. In the World Series, the Red Sox swept the St. Louis Cardinals.

“My only job here is to go in here and win with the Boston Red Sox and try to give them quality innings and try to bring another championship to Boston,” Wells said.

The Tampa Bay Devil Rays beat the Red Sox 6-4 Saturday on Pete LaForest’s two-run homer in the ninth inning off Denney Tomori. B.J. Upton hit a solo homer for Tampa Bay, while David Ortiz hit a three-run homer and Trot Nixon added a solo shot for Boston.

The 41-year-old Wells allowed four hits, one earned run and a wild pitch in two innings. He had no walks or strikeouts while throwing 28 pitches, 20 for strikes.

He’s been healthy throughout spring training but said he only needs 12 to 15 innings to be ready for the regular season.

Wells threw just six pitches in the first inning, allowing a single to Delmon Young. But Johnny Gomes led off the second with a triple that bounced in front of the center-field wall. He scored when Jorge Cantu grounded out.

Eduardo Perez also grounded out before Toby Hall doubled. Shane Halter then hit a hard shot to third baseman Bill Mueller for a single. The ball got by him for an error and Hall scored, giving Tampa Bay a 2-0 lead. Carl Crawford then flied out. Mueller played his first game since undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Feb. 7 and expects to play opening day.

“We don’t expect any hesitation,” the 2003 AL batting champ said. “As long as I’m completely honest with the situation, then things will work out. I’m not trying to be a hero.”

Young players were the key for the Devil Rays.

Young is 19, Upton is 20, and LaForest is 25. Young went 1-for-4 and made a nice catch on Manny Ramirez’s drive in the first. “About the year 2007 this could come together pretty good,” Tampa Bay manager Lou Piniella said.

Notes: Schilling will throw on the side Monday, then work three innings, about 60 pitches, against hitters on Wednesday. Boston manager Terry Francona said Schilling’s strength isn’t a problem. “I would say it’s more of a balance and feel,” he said. “Things that have come naturally to him aren’t coming natural yet.” … Boston closer Keith Foulke pitched a perfect third inning in his exhibition debut, striking out one. … Boston’s Kevin Millar was out with the flu. Byung-Hyun Kim and Francona also had the illness that appeared to start going around with Schilling earlier in the week. … New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick watched the game, then visited with Francona in the manager’s office.

… Tampa Bay starter Doug Waechter allowed four runs and five hits in three innings.

AP-ES-03-12-05 1824EST