WINTER HAVEN, Fla. (AP) – After missing most of last season with a shoulder injury, Jason Bere is trying to regain his control while competing for a spot in Cleveland’s starting rotation.

The right-hander was scheduled to work four innings Thursday against Boston but was pulled after giving up six runs in 2 1-3 innings in the Indians’ 10-9 win over the Boston Red Sox.

Bere was pulled after five consecutive Boston batters reached safely.

Boston’s Derek Lowe was scheduled to pitch five innings, but was removed after throwing 70 pitches in 3 1-3 innings. He gave up two runs, including the first of Josh Bard’s two RBI singles.

“I struggled, to say the least. But a hitter doesn’t get discouraged by going 0-for-3 in a spring-training game, so neither will I,” Lowe said.

“Derek got off to a real good start, then obviously hit a wall,” Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. “When your pitch count gets up that high, those things are going to happen.”

Boston’s David McCarty

hit two home runs, with a

solo shot off Bere in the second inning and a three-run homer off Cliff Bartosh in the

third.

McCarty, a first baseman and outfielder, also has been working out as a pitcher, but Francona said he’s cut back on pitching to help improve his hitting.

Coco Crisp’s two-run double was the key hit in Cleveland’s six-run eighth inning that tied it at 9. Pinch-runner Zach Sorensen scored the winning run in the ninth on a wild throw to first by pitcher Anastacio Martinez.

Cleveland’s Casey Blake doubled twice and walked, improving his spring average to .391 (9-for-23) with seven extra-base hits.

Notes: Red Sox OF Trot Nixon was in Los Angeles for a second opinion on potential treatment for bulging discs in his back. Nixon has not played this spring. … Boston’s Cesar Crespo went 2-for-3 and is hitting .462 (12-for-26). … LHP Matt White, claimed by the Indians on waivers Wednesday from Colorado, was to report Thursday. General manager Mark Shapiro said White will be among five pitchers competing for one open spot in the Indians bullpen.

AP-ES-03-18-04 1956EST