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Lackey aims to beat nemisis Boston again

Jul 29, 2008 - 1:42 PM LA Angels (65-40) at Boston (61-46) 7:05 pm. EDT

BOSTON (Ticker) -- Oddly enough, John Lackey's best start this month came against the Boston Red Sox.

Lackey takes the hill Tuesday for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim looking to duplicate his rare success against Boston in the middle-game of a three-game series.

Lackey (8-2, 3.02 ERA) returned from a six-week stint on the disabled list in June and went 6-1 with a 1.44 ERA, but has struggled since. The Angels' ace has won two straight starts, but has a 7.61 ERA in four outings this month. Ironically, Lackey's best effort came against the Red Sox, who have owned him throughout his career.

He allowed three runs and five hits in seven innings of an 11-3 win over Boston on July 18 to improve to 2-6 with a 6.01 ERA in 12 starts vs. the Red Sox.

While Lackey has struggled against Boston, his team has not. Casey Kotchman and Torii Hunter each homered during a six-run sixth innings as the Angels posted a 7-5 victory on Monday.

Anaheim has won six of the seven meetings between the teams and has the best record in all of baseball, prompting Red Sox manager Terry Francona to say, "They might be the class of the American League right now."

Clay Buchholz (2-5, 5.81), who opposed Lackey in the last meeting, takes the hill for Boston and is looking to snap a personal three-game skid.

Buchholz, who was recalled from Class AAA Pawtucket on July 11, is seeking his first win since May 7. On Wednesday, the 23-year-old righthander allowed three runs and seven hits in 5 1/3 innings of a 6-3 loss to Seattle.