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AL East rivals continue bitter rivalry

Aug 29, 2007 - 2:32 PM Boston (80-52) at NY Yankees (73-59) 7:05 pm EDT

BRONX, New York (Ticker) - Coming off a loss in the series opener to their hated rival, the Boston Red Sox turn to Josh Beckett as they look to maintain a comfortable division lead over the New York Yankees when the teams continue their three-game series on Wednesday.

The Red Sox saw their division lead slip in the American League East to seven games with a 5-3 loss against the Yankees on Tuesday as Andy Pettitte extended his second half magic, improving to 8-1 over his last 10 starts since the All-Star break.

As good as Pettitte has been lately, Beckett (16-5, 3.21 ERA) has bested that mark on the road. He is 9-1 with a 1.90 ERA in 10 road starts, including Friday's 11-3 victory over the White Sox in which he allowed three runs and seven hits over 5 2/3 innings.

Looking to become the majors' first 17-game winner, the righthander is 3-2 with a 7.91 ERA in six starts against the Yankees since joining the Red Sox in 2006.

His opponent on the mound will be Roger Clemens (5-5, 4.34). He languished through five frames and did not factor in the decision in his last start on Friday - a 9-6, 11-inning defeat against the Tigers, in which the 45-year-old surrendered six runs and six hits over five innings.

He is 8-5 with a 3.85 ERA in 19 career starts against the Red Sox.