Not Much Nostalgia for Pair

VERO BEACH, Fla. — An overflow crowd jammed Holman Stadium on Thursday for the only Dodgertown appearance of the Boston Red Sox this spring, but it was no big deal to Grady Little and Derek Lowe.

“It was good because we had more runs than them on the scoreboard,” Little, the Dodger manager, said of the experience of facing the team that fired him after the 2003 season. “Just like any other team you’re playing.”

Lowe, who helped the Red Sox win the World Series in 2004 then signed with the Dodgers before last season, suggested that it barely even registered that he was facing his former team while giving up two hits in four scoreless innings, striking out four and walking none in a 6-4 Grapefruit League victory.

“It’s not even really the same team,” he said of the depleted lineup he faced. “It starts at the top; there’s no Johnny [Damon]. I think if we ever go back to Fenway Park to play them, that would be exciting, but just to play them in spring training -- we’re two years removed, so you just go out and try to pitch well.”

Earlier, Little indicated that he had not put his Red Sox experience fully behind him. It ended with Little’s being vilified for not removing Pedro Martinez in the tide-turning eighth inning of a Game 7 loss to the New York Yankees in the 2003 American League championship series.

“When you’re a player ... and you boot a ball one night, or you make a bad pitch, or you strike out with the bases loaded, you turn the page and you get to play a game the very next day,” he said. “In my situation, I had a bad game my last game I ever managed ... and it was two years before I got another chance. ...

“I was very fortunate that I ran across some people that didn’t judge the job I can do managing just on the result of one decision.”

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Eric Gagne was there in spirit if not in body Wednesday night when Canada surprised the United States, 8-6, in the World Baseball Classic.

“That was unbelievable,” said the Dodger closer, who was born in Montreal. “You saw how they jumped around and how happy they were about winning. I think it shows you a lot about Canadians. They love baseball, and they’re really proud of their country. We don’t have the best talent, but we’ve got big hearts.”

Gagne had hoped to play in the inaugural international event but opted out because he is still on the mend after elbow surgery in June.

“It’s hard not to be there,” he said, “but knowing I’m not 100% right now kind of helps a little bit. I played for three years on Team Canada, so I kind of know all the guys over there. I wish I could be a part of it....

“But as much as I love Canada, I’ve got to get healthy for the Dodgers because they sign the checks. You’ve got to be loyal to that.”

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Left-hander Odalis Perez gave up four hits and three earned runs in three innings of the Dominican Republic’s 8-3 victory over Italy in the World Baseball Classic, and the Dodgers breathed a sigh of relief. “The best thing about the whole day was that it seems Odalis got through his outing over there,” Little said.

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Kenny Lofton was hit by a pitch, suffered a bruise below his right knee and left the game in the first inning against the Red Sox. Cody Ross replaced him and in the second inning hit his third home run in four games.... Jeff Kent, who had wrist surgery in January, made his spring debut at second base and reported afterward, “No worries, no problems.” ... Right-hander Yhency Brazoban was shaky in his spring debut, walking three and giving up two earned runs in two-thirds of an inning.... An MRI exam on outfield prospect Andre Ethier’s strained right shoulder showed no structural damage.