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Red Sox-Phillies Preview

Jun 14, 2009 - 5:36 AM By JEFF MEZYDLO STATS Senior Writer

Boston (38-24) at Philadelphia (35-25), 1:35 p.m. EDT

Josh Beckett might be the last person the Philadelphia Phillies want to see on the mound Sunday.

Looking for a sixth straight winning decision, Beckett tries to help the Boston Red Sox record a sixth consecutive victory and a series sweep of the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.

As if Philadelphia (35-25) hasn't endured enough in this set, it must face Beckett (7-2, 3.77 ERA), who hasn't allowed an earned run in his last two starts. The reigning World Series champion Phillies haven't been swept in a three-game series this season.

After a 5-2, 13-inning victory in Friday's series opener between these division leaders, Boston (38-24) won 11-6 on Saturday.

The Red Sox are 22-14 versus the Phillies and have won 10 of their last 12 at Philadelphia. Boston has also won 10 of its last 12 overall, and its six straight victories away from home are its most since a seven-game run from June 12-26, 2005.

Beckett allowed only an infield hit while striking out eight in six innings of a 7-0 win over the New York Yankees on Tuesday. He's given up five runs - one earned - and struck out 30 while going 3-0 over his last four starts.

"He's been rolling," third baseman Mike Lowell told the Red Sox's official Web site. "He's answered the bell - what you come to expect out of an ace. That, and some."

The right-hander is 5-0 with a 1.70 ERA in his last seven starts after going 2-2 with a 7.22 ERA in his first five.

"It's a work in progress," Beckett said. "We're taking care of stuff we need to take care of."

Beckett has taken care of the Phillies in his career, going 8-3 with a 3.79 ERA in 16 starts. He's won his last three versus Philadelphia but faces the club for the first time since 2006.

On Saturday, Jason Bay and Jacoby Ellsbury homered, and Julio Lugo had four hits for the Red Sox, who've outscored the Yankees and Philadelphia 33-16 during their five-game winning streak.

Lugo is 5 for 6 in the series, while Ellsbury and Bay are a combined 8 for 19 with six RBIs.

The Red Sox get their first look at J.A. Happ (4-0, 2.98), who will try to win his third straight decision since being inserted in the starting rotation May 23.

The left-hander, who is 2-0 with a 3.42 ERA in four starts, allowed four runs and six hits while walking four in 5 1-3 innings of a 6-5 loss to the New York Mets on Tuesday.

"One thing I'm always going to do is battle," Happ told the Phillies' official Web site. "I feel like I could have been better."

Raul Ibanez hit his 22nd homer and third in five games Saturday for Philadelphia, which got within one after trailing 5-0 in the first inning.

"We came back, but couldn't hold them," said manager Charlie Manuel, whose team fell to 12-16 at home.

Ibanez has five home runs and 13 RBIs during a 13-game hitting streak. He is 3 for 11 against Beckett.