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Red Sox look to rebound behind Beckett

May 8, 2008 - 2:56 PM Boston (22-14) at Detroit (15-20), 7:05 pm EDT

DETROIT (Ticker) -- The Boston Red Sox look to bounce back from a tough loss when they visit the Detroit Tigers in the finale of a four-game set on Thursday.

The Tigers snapped a five-game slide and ended Boston's five-game winning streak Wednesday with a dramatic come-from-behind win.

After the Red Sox battled back from an four-run deficit to take a 9-8 lead, Detroit rallied for two runs in the bottom of the ninth off closer Jonathan Papelbon, who blew his first save of the season.

Detroit finally found its offense on Wednesday, pounding out 18 hits and 10 runs - one less than its output from the previous five games combined.

Boston hopes to get back in the win column behind ace righthander Josh Beckett (3-2, 4.19 ERA). Beckett earned a win in his last outing against Tampa Bay, allowing four runs and seven hits in eight innings.

Detroit will counter with its own ace righthander, Justin Verlander (1-5, 6.28). The 25-year-old has struggled all season and surrendered four runs and seven hits in seven innings in a loss against the Minnesota Twins on Saturday.

Verlander has allowed at least four runs in all but one of his seven starts this season, and has walked 20 while allowing six home runs in 43 innings.