FORT MYERS, Fla., March 15 (UPI) -- Johnny Damon homered and tripled Friday to power the Boston Red Sox to a 9-5 victory over a split sqaud of Florida Marlins, their first win with Grady Little as manager.
Damon hit his second homer of the spring and also scored two runs and drove in a pair. Manny Ramirez and Lou Merloni also homered and Ramirez and Trot Nixon each had two RBI for the Red Sox, who had 12 hits off six Marlins pitchers.
Starter Derek Lowe, who spent most of last season in the bullpen, gave up two runs and six hits in four innings, walking one and striking out one. He is expected to be used as a starter this season.
Little was named manager by the new ownership group, replacing Joe Kerrigan. The former bench coach of the Red Sox and Cleveland Indians lost his first game as skipper on Thursday.
Florida starter Jason Grilli was the loser, giving up three runs and two hits in two innings. Andy Abad had two doubles and an RBI for the Marlins.
