In his nine innings of work, Josh Beckett gave up only three hits while striking out seven and walking none. Beckett is now 11-3 on the season with a 3.35 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP.

Aaron Bates was the hottest bat in the Red Sox lineup. The first baseman had three hits in four at-bats, scored a run and batted in a run.

Beckett will be joined in the All-Star game by fellow Red Sox starting pitcher Tim Wakefield. Beckett and Wakefield are the only two pitchers in the American League with 11 wins.

With the win, Boston improved to 54-34 on the season. They are three games up in the AL East and boast the best record in the American League. The Los Angeles Dodgers are the only team with a better record.

Post from: Knuckle Curve

Garza finished the night was 7.2 innings pitched while giving up only one hit and one walk. He struck out ten batters on his way to lowering his season’s ERA to 3.82 and picking up his second win. Grant Balfour finished off the game and the Rays easily beat the Red Sox by a final count of 13-0.

At the plate, the hitting hero for the Rays was Evan Longaria. The second-year star went 3-for-5 with three runs and four RBIs. His big hit was a homer in the sixth inning. Backup catcher Michel Hernandez was 4-for-5 with a run and three RBIs.

On the mound for the Red Sox, Josh Beckett struggled mightily. He gave up seven earned runs in 4.2 innings. He allowed ten hits and three walks. After looking impressive in his first start of the season, Beckett has looked worse and worse as the season has progressed. He now sports a 7.22 ERA after five starts.

Matt Garza, Tampa Bay Rays (Image: Newscom)

Post from: Knuckle Curve

The brawl started after Josh Beckett threw a ball over Bobby Abreu’s head after the slugger had called time. Abreu began jawing with Beckett and then both benches came onto the field. Angels’ outfielder Torii Hunter, pitcher Justin Speier and hitting coach Mickey Hatcher ended up being ejected from the ballgame.

Abreu was later in the spotlight after he hit a two-run single in the third inning to put the Angels up for good. Although the Red Sox kept battling back, Los Angeles was able to win by a final count of 5-4.

For the Red Sox, Kevin Youkilis and J.D. Drew homered in the second inning. Vladimir Guerrero homered in the eighth inning for the Angels.

With the win, the Angels are now 3-3 on the season, while the Red Sox dropped to 2-4.

Here’s a Nick Adenhart Tribute Video:

Post from: Knuckle Curve

This would be a disappointing way for the Angels to finish the season, especially considering that they had the best record in baseball during the regular season. However, the Red Sox just appear to be more poised and the Angels seem to be a bit rusty after not having a pressure packed game in a few months.

The hero in Game 2 was JD Drew. In the ninth inning, he hit a two-run homer to untie the game and give the Red Sox their final 7-5 margin. It is also noteworthy that the home run came off of Mr. 62 record-breaking saves himself — Francisco Rodriguez.

Game 3 will be on Sunday in Boston. To save their season, the Angels will have to pull out a road win against Josh Beckett.

Post from: Knuckle Curve

Josh Beckett of the Boston Red Sox, who has been plagued by injuries for much of the season, will have his first start in the 2008 baseball playoffs pushed back. Last season, Beckett was the undisputed ace of the pitching staff as the Red Sox went on to win the World Series. This season? The picture this postseason isn’t so clear.

As of now, Beckett will be pushed back to Game 3 of the opening series against the Los Angeles Angels. In Game 1 Jon Lester will starter, while Daisuke Matsuzaka will get the start in Game 2.

This injury for Beckett is being called a strained oblique. He got hurt during a bullpen session recently and the muscle has tightened up on him. Although some internet rumors have Beckett being sidelined much longer, all indications from Boston point to Beckett being ready to go by Game 3.

In Beckett’s postseason career, he’s been unbelievable. In ten starts in the playoffs, Beckett has a 1.73 ERA and a record of 6-2. For the Red Sox to have a chance to come out of the competitive American League playoffs, they’ll need Beckett at his best.

Photo: Newscom

Post from: Knuckle Curve

Josh Beckett is apparently frustrated with his injury woes and is going to visit with Dr. James Andrews. Andrews, who is known as the Grim Reaper among baseball fans, will take a look at why Beckett has lingering elbow pain.

The good news for Boston Red Sox fans is that this meeting is being classified as a precautionary move. Beckett isn’t expected to miss much amount of time and there is only limited talk that Beckett may require season-ending surgery.

Although the Red Sox are in a good position to repeat as World Series champions, they definitely need a healthy Josh Beckett. Beckett was key last year and while he hasn’t been great this year, he is a noted big game pitcher.

This season, Beckett is 11-9 with a 4.34 ERA. He also has 145 strikeouts in just over 149 innings.

Keep an eye out for the result of Beckett’s meeting with Andrews as it should become known over the next few days.

Photo: Newscom

Post from: Knuckle Curve