Posada on Burnett saga: Ask Girardi

BOSTON - Jorge Posada repeated what he said late last season and again in spring training: That he and A.J. Burnett don't have and never did have a problem.

But in answering why that perception has lingered, he seemed to point directly to manager Joe Girardi.

"I think Girardi is the perfect guy to answer that question," Posada said before last night's 2010 opener.

Asked if the manager thought it was a bigger issue than he or Burnett did, Posada said: "Ask him. I think he has the best point of view on that."

A world championship apparently didn't quell the controversy, and if things don't go well Tuesday night, when the two will be the battery in the second game of the series, it very much will be alive and kicking.

"No, I didn't [think it was a problem]," Girardi said before mentioning other pitchers such as Greg Maddux and Randy Johnson who worked with someone other than the starting catcher of their teams. "For me, it took on a bigger picture because we're in New York. It was an emotional time, fighting for the division and we were nearing the playoffs and it seemed to take on . . . it became a big story. But as far as them having a big problem, I wasn't concerned about that. I didn't necessarily see a huge problem there."

After Burnett allowed a career-worst nine earned runs in five innings in a 14-1 loss here Aug. 22, he didn't throw to Posada the rest of the regular season. Posada said the two were on the same page in this year's training camp, but he felt that also was the case last year.

"[Burnett] wanted me back there behind the plate during the playoffs," Posada said. "He told me so." And he did catch Burnett in the postseason after pinch hitting for catcher Jose Molina.

Posada said this spring: "We never had a problem with each other. We just had a bad game."

So what better place than Fenway for their first start of 2010, right? "Get it out of the way right away," Posada said with a laugh. "Looking forward to it."

Extra bases

C Francisco Cervelli, recovering from a mild hamstring strain, ran before the game and was available . . . DH Nick Johnson, who fouled a ball off his right knee Friday, came through batting practice OK and started . . . Pedro Martinez threw the ceremonial first pitch.