Watson delivers message

PHILADELPHIA -- In essence, it was a visit from the principal to remind the hellions about their abundance of on-field incidents and to discuss how future transgressions might be dealt with.

''Double-secret probation?" a reporter asked Red Sox manager Terry Francona.

''Kind of," responded Francona, before Boston's 9-5 loss to the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park before 24,749 yesterday in a game delayed 30 minutes by rain.

Major League Baseball vice president of on-field operations Bob Watson, who recently handed Sox reliever Julian Tavarez a 10-day suspension as a result of a March 27 scuffle with Tampa Bay outfielder Joey Gathright, met with Francona and assistant general manager Jed Hoyer for about 10 minutes behind closed doors.

''He just wanted to talk about what had happened and what had happened in the past and how to prevent [incidents] from happening in the future," Francona said. ''Any time he takes the time to talk to me, I'm glad. I appreciate it a lot. Usually we're on the receiving end."

Watson's special trip included a pledge that he would communicate better with Francona, a problem area in the past. There have been times Francona hasn't been able to get Watson on the phone and messages haven't been returned.

The two chatted about recent spring training incidents between the Sox and the Devil Rays and the Phillies.

Francona also stuck up for his team regarding the Sox-Yankees incident March 22 when Mike Myers hit J.T. Snow in the upper arm, which was followed by David Riske plunking Derek Jeter on the backside with a splitter. Francona and the Sox didn't think Riske was trying to retaliate, but Tanyon Sturtze saw it differently when he then hit Mike Lowell on the backside with a fastball, which brought a warning to both benches.

Asked whether he thought Watson would come down harder on the Sox in future matters, Francona said, ''I don't think it's going to be a witch hunt or anything like that."

Francona told Watson that Tavarez would not appeal his suspension.

Asked whether Tavarez's long rap sheet had any bearing on the length of the suspension, Francona said, ''What do you think?"

He later said, ''It didn't help."

Keith Foulke allowed two runs on three hits but declared himself ready for prime time. ''Today I just tried to slow it down, and at first that really didn't help much," he said. ''I was trying to be real smooth and I said, 'What the hell am I doing here? I've got to speed it up.' " While the stadium gun had some of his pitches at 87 miles per hour, Francona thought it was faster. And Foulke was pleased. ''I'm sneaking fastballs up on guys," he said. ''That's what I want to do. I want to keep them off-balance." His one lament is that his mechanics are ''a little sloppy." Foulke, who finishes spring training 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA in four games and will leave for Dallas this morning ahead of the team, said he can't wait to start the season. ''You go out there in a real game, you get some adrenaline," he said. ''The hitters are geared up and you're geared up." . . . There was still nothing official on David Ortiz's reported four-year, $50 million extension. ''When I have some news, I'll let you guys know," Ortiz told reporters . . . Francona said Curt Schilling, Tim Wakefield, Josh Beckett, and GM Theo Epstein were going to board ''Air Schilling" from Fort Myers, Fla., today to join the team in Arlington, Texas, where the Sox open the season tomorrow against the Rangers . . . Francona said the Opening Day lineup will be the one that started yesterday's game: Coco Crisp CF; Mark Loretta 2B; Ortiz DH, Manny Ramírez LF; Trot Nixon RF; Jason Varitek C; Mike Lowell 3B; Kevin Youkilis 1B; Alex Gonzalez SS.

Lowell, showing improved bat speed, and Youkilis hit back-to-back homers in the second inning off Phillies starter Gavin Floyd. Nixon, wearing No. 93 in the absence of his No. 7 red jersey, homered in the fourth to right off Floyd. Nixon also doubled off the center-field wall in the fifth. Lowell is hitting .320 after a slow start. ''The ball jumped off his bat," said Francona. ''It's great to see." . . . Tavarez was scheduled to pitch in today's exhibition finale and then fly with the team to Texas. Francona said Tavarez then would return to Fort Myers to get some work during his suspension, which will be up April 13 . . . It was not a great day for Sox starter Dave Pauley: five runs and eight hits in four innings. He allowed a three-run homer to Chase Utley in the first inning . . . The Sox placed pitcher David Wells (recovering from right knee surgery) and first baseman Hee-Seop Choi (left hamstring) on the 15-day disabled list. The Wells move is retroactive to March 28, the Choi assignment to March 29.