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Boston's Lester puts hot streak to the test in Cleveland

May 25, 2011 - 3:00 PM (Sports Network) - Jon Lester tries to win his seventh straight decision this afternoon when the Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Indians close out a three-game series from Progressive Field.

Lester beat the Chicago Cubs on Friday, but was not sharp in allowing five runs and 12 hits in six innings. In fact the talented left-hander has surrendered 14 runs in his last three starts, spanning 17 1/3 innings.

"I gave up 12 hits in six innings, so it's a battle from jump street," Lester said. "Like I said, I'm just not executing pitches. Pitches I felt like I did throw very well, I gave up some hits on. So it's just the way it's going right now."

Lester did not get a decision against the Indians back on April 7, despite throwing seven scoreless innings. However, he is 3-1 lifetime against them with a 3.93 ERA.

The Indians, meanwhile, will counter with right-hander Mitch Talbot, who has been sidelined with an elbow strain since tossing eight scoreless innings to beat the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim back on April 11.

Talbot did not get a decision against the Red Sox in his season debut, surrendering two runs and five hits in 4 1/3 innings.

Boston evened this series at a game apiece on Tuesday, as Jason Varitek hit a two-run home run to back a strong start by Josh Beckett to help the Red Sox take a 4-2 win. Jed Lowrie and Adrian Gonzalez each drove in a run for Boston, which bounced back from Monday's 3-2 loss to win for the ninth time in its last 11 games.

Beckett (4-1) went 6 2/3 innings and was charged with one run on five hits with three walks and six strikeouts.

"I had a few more [tough spots] today that I would have liked...but I made pitches when I needed to," Beckett said.

Travis Buck hit a solo home run while Ezequiel Carrera drove in the other run for the Indians, who had a four-game winning streak snapped. Fausto Carmona (3-5) gave up four runs on five hits with a walk and seven strikeouts over eight-plus innings to take the loss.

Cleveland swept a three-game set from the Red Sox earlier in the year at Progressive Field and has won five of the last seven overall. It had won the last six at home in this series before yesterday's loss.