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Beckett wins 15th as Red Sox top Orioles

Aug 12, 2007 - 3:59 AM BALTIMORE (Ticker) -- A day after one of the Boston Red Sox's most frustrating losses of 2007, Josh Beckett did his part to help the team restore its dominance against the Baltimore Orioles.

Beckett pitched 8 2/3 strong innings and became the first 15-game winner in the major leagues as the Red Sox clubbed the Orioles, 6-2, on Saturday.

The Red Sox have won 27 of their last 33 meetings with the Orioles, who picked up a rare victory in the series on Friday when they rallied from four runs down to earn a 6-5 triumph. Furthermore, Boston is 51-21 in Baltimore since 1999 and has won 13 of of the last 16 meetings here.

"It's very re-assuring (to have Beckett as a stopper)," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. "It allows us to put yesterday in the past in a hurry and that's a big compliment to Beckett."

Though he was unable to finish off the Orioles, Beckett (15-5) had few problems in securing his third consecutive 15-win season, allowing two runs, eight hits and no walks while striking out eight during the 115-pitch effort.

The righthander came within one out of his third career shutout and fifth career complete game before allowing RBI hits to Miguel Tejada and Kevin Millar.

The Orioles appeared to have another comeback brewing when reliever Manny Delcarmen walked Aubrey Huff, but Jonathan Papelbon entered the game and nailed down his 27th save when he got Melvin Mora to pop out.

Rather than being disappointed at losing the shutout, Beckett said he was frustrated that the Boston bullpen didn't get a day off.

"It's more important to save the guys in the bullpen because you're going to need them down the stretch," he said.

The 27-year-old Beckett remained perfect at Camden Yards, where he has won all three career starts and pitched to a 1.90 ERA. His overall record away from Fenway Park this season is 8-1 with a 1.65 ERA.

"He's got a great fastball, but he keeps you honest with the great changeup and a great curveball," Orioles first baseman Kevin Millar said. "That's the thing that Beckett does and that's what makes this team tough. They don't lose a lot in a row because they always have a stopper."

While Beckett overpowered the Orioles, the Boston lineup was quick to solve Baltimore rookie Garrett Olson (1-1) in his third career start.

Olson issued back-to-back walks to open the game, but bounced back to strike out both David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez before ending the threat by getting Mike Lowell to fly out.

The 23-year-old lefthander was not so lucky in the second inning, allowing a two-run double to Julio Lugo that followed hits by Jason Varitek and J.D. Drew.

"Early on, I just didn't feel as aggressive with my pitches, kind of nibbling a little bit and falling behind the hitters," Olson said. "I just ended up walking too many guys instead of going after everybody and tying to establish the zone early."

Boston's lead swelled to 4-0 an inning later as Drew plated two more runs on a one-out, bases-loaded single. On his 62nd pitch of game, Olson ended the threat by getting Coco Crisp to ground into a double play.

Recalled from Class AAA Norfolk on Friday, Olson lasted 6 1/3 innings, allowing four runs, eight hits and six walks while striking out six.

"I thought (Olson) rushed the first couple of innings and then settled down after that," Orioles manager Dave Trembley said. "Overall, he pitched very well. I think he'd want two pitches back, both of them to Drew."

Dustin Pedroia added an RBI single and Kevin Youkilis drew a bases-loaded walk in the eighth inning to add insurance that Boston nearly needed.

Brian Roberts and Nick Markakis had two hits apiece for the Orioles, who squandered a chance to record consecutive victories against the Red Sox for the first time since defeating their American League East rival on July 10 and September 2 in 2005.

"You could tell by the way (Beckett) was pitching that runs were going to be at a premium against him," Trembley said.

While he was the first to reach 15 wins, Beckett wasn't the only player to accomplish that Saturday.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim hurler John Lackey (15-6) matched the number with a victory over the the Minnesota Twins.