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Beckett gets nod for Boston vs. Orioles

Jul 8, 2011 - 3:09 PM (Sports Network) - Josh Beckett tries to polish off a strong first half in winning fashion this evening when the Boston Red Sox continue a four-game series with the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park.

There was some uncertainty surrounding Beckett entering the year after a disappointing injury-plagued 2010 campaign saw him pitch to a 5.78 earned run average. But, the right-hander eased any concerns early on and has been one of the best pitchers in the American League this season, going 7-3 with a 2.12 ERA.

Beckett won for the third time in four starts on Sunday in Houston, as he held the Astros to a run and five hits, while striking out 11 without a walk in eight innings.

He has faced the Orioles 15 times and is 6-3 with a 3.68 ERA against them.

Boston moved back into first place atop the American League East standings on Thursday, as Dustin Pedroia belted a three-run homer, one of six long balls jolted by the Red Sox in a 10-4 rout.

David Ortiz, Josh Reddick and Jarrod Saltalamacchia hit consecutive homers off Pedro Viola in the seventh inning, while Adrian Gonzalez and Jacoby Ellsbury also went deep for Boston, which won for the seventh time in eight tries and moved a half-game in front of the New York Yankees in the division.

Andrew Miller (3-0), who has filled in for an injured Clay Buchholz, allowed six hits, four walks and three runs over five innings and remained unbeaten in four starts for the Red Sox this season.

"Sometimes there's some moving parts he's still working on," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. "Saying that, he limited the damage and controlled the game, which is good. But I think there's more in there and I think he thinks so too."

The Orioles, who suffered their ninth defeat in 10 games, were just outscored 30-11 in a three-game sweep at Texas.

Jake Arrieta (9-6) was charged with six hits and five runs -- four earned -- over 4 1/3 innings to take the loss.

Hoping to reverse their fortunes tonight the Orioles turn to rookie left- hander Zach Britton, who is 6-6 with a 3.47 ERA. Britton did not get a decision on Sunday in Atlanta as he allowed three runs and six hits in five innings of a 5-4 win.

Britton beat the Red Sox earlier in the year, holding them to a run in six innings in his only other appearance against them.

The Red Sox have won three of their five matchups with the Orioles this season.