Pierzynski gaining comfort after meeting with Farrell

BOSTON -- A.J. Pierzynski, who will start behind the plate in Game 2 of Thursday's day-night doubleheader vs. the Rays, has looked far more comfortable in all phases of the game since having an impromptu meeting with manager John Farrell at some point last week.

"I think after one of the games in the New York series, I had the chance to have a little bit of a sit-down and he kind of just, in some ways, stopped trying to force his way in and just go play, as he's done for many, many years and been a very good player," said Farrell.

A couple of days after the meeting, Pierzynski belted a grand slam in Toronto.

"I think it was his own realization of just not trying to be anybody different, just go about your game as you typically do," Farrell said. "And since that point, he's swung the bat well, he's thrown well, he's received well. Sometimes coming into a new organization regardless of your age and experience level, there's a feeling-out process and I think he just gave in to it and has been off and going."

David Ortiz is hardly surprised by the way Pierzynski has played of late. They were teammates in Minnesota through the Minor Leagues, and at the Major League level from 1999-2002.

"He's a good catcher," said Ortiz. "There's a reason why he's been around for so long playing as a starting catcher everywhere he goes. He knows how to call games, he knows how to keep his ground covering the plate. He's a good hitter. That's a combination that is hard to find, a good catcher with a good bat. He's one of them."