SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) -Jeremy Guthrie pitched into the third inning in his second spring start, but the Boston Red Sox beat the Baltimore Orioles 5-4 Sunday.

Guthrie threw 51 pitches and gave up a run and three hits in 2 1-3 innings. He walked two and struck out two - Jacoby Ellsbury and David Ortiz. A year ago, the Orioles' right-hander had only one start in spring training before leaving for the World Baseball Classic.

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He got irregular work at the WBC, and while he was honored to represent the United States, he's happy to be back in his routine.

``This will provide the ability to build on the pitches and get a rhythm, knowing that I'll throw again (in) five days,' Guthrie said. ``I couldn't be more pleased. The ball had good movement.'

Guthrie went 10-17 with a 5.04ERA last year. His 17 losses and 35 homers allowed led the majors.

Baltimore manager Dave Trembley was more tempered in his assessment.

``Jeremy didn't have much feel for his secondary pitches. That's why he got his pitch count up,' Trembley said. ``But there was some improvement.'

Nick Markakis hit his second home run of the spring. It was Baltimore's 12th homer in five games.

Clay Buchholz allowed three runs in three innings. He is competing for a spot in a rotation that has Josh Beckett, Tim Wakefield, Jon Lester, Diasuke Matsuzaka and free-agent signee John Lackey. Long odds.

``It's awkward,' Buchholz said. ``I have to win a spot. I know regardless of how I pitch in the spring, I have to show them during the season I can pitch in Boston.'

A year ago, Buchholz, who pitched a no-hitter against the Orioles in Sept. 2007, split the season between Triple-A Pawtucket and the Red Sox.

``I can't do anything about it,' he said. It's no added pressure or added stress.'

NOTES: Matsuzuka (back) threw 65 pitches at Boston's Fort Myers training camp on Sunday. It was his second bullpen outing. He'll be reevaluated on Monday. The attendance was 8,088 - the largest crowd in the 22-year history of Ed Smith Stadium. It's the first year the Orioles are training in Sarasota. Red Sox manager Terry Francona said he's working out a plan for INF Mike Lowell (thumb) to be reintroduced to the lineup. He's yet to play this spring. Red Sox C Jason Varitek has yet to play due to personal reasons. Baltimore LHP Will Ohman returned to the club after missing two days to attend his grandfather's funeral.