Jonathan Papelbon overpowered the Philadelphia Phillies and looked much better than Scott Kazmir did in his first start since a 2006 shoulder injury.

Shifting from closer to starter this season, Papelbon struck out Philadelphia’s 2-3-4 hitters – including NL MVP Ryan Howard – in the fourth inning of Boston’s 12-9 loss in 10 innings Saturday.

The 26-year-old right-hander, now in the Red Sox rotation after shoulder fatigue prematurely ended his stellar rookie season as a closer, retired all six batters he faced on 26 pitches, 18 of them strikes. He ended his afternoon by freezing Aaron Rowand with a fastball at the knees for his fourth strikeout.

Kazmir wants to get back to his form from last season, when the Tampa Bay lefty made the AL All-Star team. But he appears to have a long way to go.

He got only four outs and gave up a two-run homer to Troy Glaus, but the Devil Rays beat the Toronto Blue Jays, 5-4, in a game shortened to six innings because of rain in Dunedin, Fla.

In other spring training games:

Angels 9, Rockies 8

At Tucson, Ariz., the Los Angeles Angels turned a triple play in the third inning against Colorado.

Giants 12, Brewers 8

At Phoenix, Ben Sheets threw 22 of his 32 pitches for strikes, giving up two runs and two hits over two innings for Milwaukee. Giants starter Matt Morris, who struggled with his control down the stretch last season, was awful in his spring training debut. He went 12â3 innings, giving up seven runs on five hits.

White Sox 6, Diamondbacks 5

At Tucson, Ariz., Gavin Floyd became the first White Sox starter to last three innings this spring.

Cubs 5, Athletics 5, 10 innings

At Phoenix, Cubs catcher Michael Barrett hit an inside-the-park home run.

Padres 1, Mariners 0

At Peoria, Ariz., Clay Hensley yielded only one hit in two shutout innings for San Diego.

Indians 11, Tigers 2

At Lakeland, Fla., Nate Robertson pitched two scoreless innings for Detroit. Cleveland starter Jeremy Sowers allowed a second-inning homer to Craig Monroe, but was otherwise impressive.

Astros 6, Braves 1

At Kissimmee, Fla., Tim Hudson became the third straight Atlanta starter to throw two scoreless innings this spring.

Yankees 4, Pirates 3

At Tampa, Fla., Mike Mussina allowed one run and two hits in two innings for New York, and Jorge Posada homered.

Reds 14, Twins 1

At Sarasota, Fla., Josh Hamilton had three hits, including a pair of doubles, and Cincinnati piled up 25 hits overall.

Cardinals 8, Marlins 1

At Jupiter, Fla., Kip Wells allowed one hit over two scoreless innings in his St. Louis debut, and Rick Ankiel had a two-run single.

Orioles 7, Nationals 2

At Viera, Fla., Washington pitcher John Patterson made his first start since July 9, allowing three hits and one run in two innings.

Dodgers 5, Mets 2

At Port St. Lucie, Fla., Mike Pelfrey tossed two shutout innings for New York.