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Red Sox top Northeastern 3-0 in exhibition opener

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) - New closer Joel Hanrahan struck out two hitters in the first inning, and the Boston Red Sox beat Northeastern 3-0 on Thursday in the first exhibition game of spring training.

The Red Sox face Boston College in the doubleheader's second game.

Hanrahan was brought in to anchor the Boston bullpen, but the Red Sox gave him the start for this seven-inning game.

Northeastern's Aaron Barbosa led off with a two-strike single. That was the only hit Hanrahan allowed. The right-hander also hit a batter in his only inning.

Adding to informal vibe, the Red Sox came out to bat in the bottom of the seventh even though they led 3-0. Boston tacked on two more runs, which weren't included in the box score.