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Masterson, Red Sox look to clinch series vs. Phillies

Jun 18, 2008 - 1:02 PM Boston (45-29) at Philadelphia (42-31) 1:05 p.m. EDT

PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- Rookie Justin Masterson will be looking to bounce back from the first loss of his major league career when the Boston Red Sox visit the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday in the finale of a three-game series.

After dropping the opener, 8-2, on Monday, Jon Lester made sure the Red Sox came back to even the series on Tuesday, when he tossed seven scoreless innings and struck out sluggers Ryan Howard and Pat Burrell a combined five times. Coco Crisp hit a two-run homer and scored on Julio Lugo's double to provide the winning margin, 3-0.

Boston, which owns a 6-2 record in interleague play at Citizen's Bank Park, will attempt to clinch the series with another of their promising young starters in Masterson (3-1, 2.90 ERA).

The 23-year-old righthander made his first four career starts at Fenway Park before taking to the road to face the Cincinnati Reds last Friday. Masterson allowed only four hits against the Reds but two of them were home runs en route to suffering his first loss, 3-1.

Masterson struck out a career-high nine against Cincinnati and is limiting opponents to a .168 batting average in his five starts. The one knock on the youngster has been his command, as he has issued 15 walks in 31 total innings.

The Phillies will counter with second-year righthander Kyle Kendrick (6-2, 4.54). The 24-year-old has not suffered a loss since April 16 and is coming off a strong effort Friday when he limited the St. Louis Cardinals to two runs - one earned - and eight hits in seven innings to earn a win.

Kendrick's first interleague start this season lasted just one inning as he tossed a perfect frame against the Toronto Blue Jays on May 18 before a rain delay - that lasted over two hours - forced his departure.