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Red Sox strive for improved effort on road

Jul 18, 2008 - 10:11 AM Boston (57-40) at LA Angels (57-38) 10:05 p.m. EDT

ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- The Boston Red Sox enter the second half in control of the American League East , but they have plenty of room for improvement ... especially on the road.

The defending World Series champions return from the All-Star break on Friday when they open a series against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Boston (57-40) seized a one-half game lead over the struggling Tampa Bay Rays (55-39) on Sunday, forging a 2-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles. All-Stars J.D. Drew and Dustin Pedroia drove in the runs as the Red Sox improved to 36-11 at home.

While Boston has been unstoppable at Fenway Park, it wears a 21-29 away record - the second-worst road mark for a first-place team.

Fresh off his All-Star MVP award, Drew will try to help the Red Sox reverse that trend. The 32-year-old right fielder is batting .302 with 17 home runs and 55 RBI and has helped fill the void left by an injured David Ortiz, who is eyeing a July 25 return from a torn tendon sheath in his left wrist.

Rookie Clay Buchholz (2-4, 5.70 ERA) makes his second start for the Red Sox after returning to the rotation following a two-month stint in the minors. Buchholz allowed four runs and five hits while walking five last Friday, but did strike out six en route to a 7-3 loss to the Orioles.

John Lackey (6-2, 2.46) counters for the Angels, who own a six-game lead in the AL West .

After missing the opening month with a strained triceps, Lackey has bounced back by allowing 11 runs over his first nine starts.

However, the 29-year-old righthander has surrendered 11 earned runs in his last two starts, including six and 15 hits in just 5 2/3 innings in his previous outing. He did not factor in the decision though as the Angels rallied for an 11-10 victory against the Texas Rangers on July 10.