The Sox traded him and a player to be named later in 1997 for Pedro Martinez. Pavano signed a four-year, $38 million contract before 2005 with the Yankees. He beat the Red Sox in his first start in pinstripes, then produced more snickers than victories in New York.

Pavano gave the Red Sox one of the best pitchers in their history and gave their main rivals one of their most wretched.

At age 33, Pavano resurfaced as the Cleveland Indians' No. 3 starter this spring. Last night, he pitched against the Red Sox for the first time since May 2005, and something unexpected happened. He won.

Behind Pavano's six strong innings and a second consecutive mediocre start from Justin Masterson, the Indians beat the Red Sox , 9-2, before 37,888 at Fenway Park.

The last time Pavano visited Fenway, he could throw his fastball in the mid 90s and attack hitters. With age, he replaced power with finesse. Last night, he threw gobs of changeups and used sliders early in counts. The Sox scored two runs in the second inning - during which they had the bases loaded with no outs - but could not score again, despite loading the bases with one out in the fourth.

``I thought we kind of let him off the hook a couple times,'' said Mike Lowell, who played with Pavano on the Florida Marlins. ``It seemed like our energy was just a little bit not where it should be.

``I don't know if we needed to have a better killer instinct. It's easy to say it after the fact. But I don't think we did our jobs as good as we should have.''

Pavano tamed a Red Sox lineup lessened by injuries to Jacoby Ellsbury and Kevin Youkilis and topped, for the first time this season, by J.D. Drew. The Sox also were returning home after an arduous nine-game trip. Lowell said neither challenge should have drained them.

``I don't think it helps,'' Lowell said. ``I got in at 3 or 4 in the morning four times during this road trip, and it's not because I'm painting the town red. But, I mean, that's part of the business.

``We've got guys that we can plug in and do that job. The lineup we threw out there could have definitely won.''

Pavano had pitched at Fenway twice before, once with the Montreal Expos in 1998 and once with the Marlins in 2003. He lost both starts, lasting a combined four innings and running up a 24.75 ERA. With the Marlins, he did not record an out and gave up six runs.

``It was probably the worst start of my career,'' Pavano said.

Last night's start began with a flashback, a scorched single by leadoff man Drew, but Pavano settled down with a double play.

In the second, the Sox loaded the bases with no outs. Jeff Bailey, Youkilis's replacement, grounded into a double play to score one run. Jonathan Van Every, Ellsbury's replacement, followed with an RBI single. The Sox had a 2-0 lead, but would not score again.

``I've been pitching and playing Baseball for a while,'' Pavano said. ``And the things I've gone through in the past, I'm glad to have an opportunity to put those things behind me with a great organization and go out there and compete and have success and put this team in a position to win.''

Pavano's performance held up because Masterson stumbled, for the second straight start, in the fifth inning. In Tampa Bay, Masterson allowed all six of his runs in the fifth. Last night, he allowed three in the fifth.

``He's maintained his stuff all the way through,'' said manager Terry Francona. ``Any pitcher, once they've had a look at you a couple times, if you don't locate, you're giving good hitters more looks and you have to make better pitches.''

Masterson, who suffered a loss for the first time at Fenway in eight decisions, struggled against Cleveland's lefthanders. Victor Martinez, who went 3 for 5 with four RBIs and a home run (off Javier Lopez), hit the game's deciding blow, a two-run double in the fifth. Lefties went 7 for 14 against Masterson, but he felt the problem was his command, not his opponents. Masterson walked three and hit a batter.

``I don't think I spotted my fastball as well as I could have,'' he said. ``In an overall sense, it's always difficult when you get behind, too, and they can sit on things.''

Pavano pitched just well enough to become the beneficiary. He entered with a 7.46 ERA, the fourth-highest in the majors among pitchers with at least five starts.

He left with his second victory of the season and another brush with the Red Sox , the organization he once played for.

``It was a while ago,'' Pavano said. ``Those are good memories.''

And now, he can add one more.