Last season, particularly in the playoffs, Josh Beckett showed that he was the best pitcher in the American League. Sure he didn't win the Cy Young award but did that really matter as the Red Sox won the World Series and C.C. Sabathia (the Cy Young winner) was terrible throughout the playoffs?
I guess I assumed Beckett would pick up where he left off this season and continue to dominate. Not so much. His strikeout totals have been high but he's been plagued by one or two bad innings in almost all of his starts.
The Orioles beat the Red Sox, 10-6, yesterday at Fenway as Beckett once again couldn't be the stopper he's supposed to be.
He didn't get a decision but Beckett went six innings, giving up four runs on eight hits with a walk and three strikeouts. His ERA is a pedestrian 4.22.
Beckett allowed all four runs in the second. Freddie Bynum and Brian Roberts hit two-run doubles in the inning for the Orioles (32-31).
Boston (40-27) had led 1-0 in the first but it should have been more as they had the bases loaded with no outs. Manny Ramirez grounded into a double play but a run scored.
The Red Sox fought back in the third with two runs but once again they should have gotten more out of a bases loaded, no out situation. Mike Lowell and Kevin Youkilis each had fielder's choices.
Things were looking up in the fifth when Boston got back-to-back homers off of Baltimore starter Daniel Cabrera. J.D. Drew (two runs, two walks) hit a two-run homer and then Manny cranked a solo shot to put the Sox up 6-4.
The seventh inning was what killed Boston as Baltimore scored three times off of Hideki Okajima (1-2) to take a 7-6 lead.
Baltimore added three runs in the ninth off Craig Hansen as Jay Payton had an infield single for an RBI and Ramon Hernandez hit a two-run single.
Aubrey Huff finished with four hits and two RBIs for Baltimore while Nick Markakis notched three hits and scored twice in the win.
The rubber match of the three game set is tonight as Bartolo Colon opposes Garrett Olson.
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