• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Red Sox, Astros to meet in rubber game

Jun 29, 2008 - 1:16 PM Boston (50-33) at Houston (38-43) 2:05 p.m. EDT

HOUSTON (Ticker) -- The Boston Red Sox will attempt to end interleague play on a positive note when they visit the Houston Astros on Sunday.

The Red Sox seemed poised to clinch the three-game series on Saturday with a 9-6 lead in the seventh inning, but the Astros refused to quit, scoring twice in the seventh and three more times in the eighth to earn the win.

Lance Berkman, who struck out in his first three at-bats, drove in a run in the seventh and snapped a 9-9 deadlock in the eighth with a two-run double.

Boston will send ace Josh Beckett (7-5, 3.73 ERA) to the mound in the series finale. The righthander was a tough-luck loser on Monday, allowing just two runs in eight innings but suffering the setback as the offense managed just one run against Arizona righthander Dan Haren.

Beckett has allowed two runs or less in five of his last six starts and ranks tied for fifth in the American League with 97 strikeouts this season despite beginning the campaign on the 15-day disabled list.

The 27-year-old Beckett began his career in the National League with the Florida Marlins and owns a 2-2 career record with a 2.12 ERA in five starts against Houston. He has been particularly tough Berkman, holding the four-time All-Star to 2-for-14.

The Astros will close out the series with journeyman Brian Moehler (4-3, 4.03). The righthander, who worked exclusively out of the bullpen last season, has put together a pair of strong outings in a row - allowing a total of two runs and 11 hits in 12 2/3 combined innings against Baltimore and Texas.

Moehler has had trouble in his career with Boston left fielder Manny Ramirez, who is 9-for-18 with two homers and seven RBI against him.