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Beckett, Lowell return in fine form for Red Sox

Sep 6, 2008 - 4:25 AM By Jay Miller PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

ARLINGTON, Texas (Ticker) -- Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell had no trouble shaking off the rust.

Beckett and Lowell each returned from stints on the disabled list and combined to lead the Boston Red Sox to an 8-1 win over the Texas Rangers on Friday.

The win moved the Red Sox (83-57) to within 2 1/2 games of the Tampa Bay Rays (85-54) atop the American League East.

Beckett (12-9) had been on the 15-day DL since August 18 with right elbow inflammation before being activated for Friday's start. Working on a strict pitch count, Beckett vexed the normally potent Texas offense through three perfect innings before allowing Josh Hamilton to reach on a two-out single in the fourth.

"We were thrilled," Boston manager Terry Francona said of Beckett's performance. "He went out and commanded really well. Even when he missed, he was missing around the plate. To get five innings, he got a little fatigued because he hasn't pitched in along time, but I think he did a great job.

"He just pitched and there was nothing to report. We have a lot riding on him. I thought he pitched tremendous."

The righthander was pulled after five innings and 80 pitches, having allowed four hits while striking out seven.

"I came out of it healthy and that's what we were really looking for," Beckett said. "It's definitely a nice steppingstone. I can go out there in my next start and not worry about (my arm).

"I'd be lying if I didn't say the biggest thing for me was to go out and feel healthy. The win's just icing on the cake. It's nice to go out and help your team win a game, but there were some selfish things going on, things that I wanted to do."

The Red Sox took a 1-0 lead off Texas starter Kevin Millwood (9-8) on a solo home run by Lowell in the second. Lowell, who had been out since August 13 with a right oblique strain, finished 3-for-5 with four RBI and a pair of runs scored.

"It was a good day. I saw the ball well which I think I was happiest about," Lowell said. "I've been hitting about a week now, but I don't think you can compare to game time speed. I think there's a little uncertainty when you haven't seen live pitching, but once you get a hit in your first at-bat, it makes things a lot better."

Boston extended its lead to 5-0 with a four-run fourth. Lowell plated Mark Kotsay and Jason Bay with a single and Coco Crisp followed two batters later with a two-run single.

Millwood exited following the sixth after surrendering another pair of runs on back-to-back RBI triples by Crisp and Jacoby Ellsbury. It marked the first consecutive triples by Boston hitters since June 5, 2004.

"Coco looks like he's trying to get hot and that's welcome," Francona said. "He's put together a nice run."

Millwood, who entered the game on a personal three-game winning streak, was charged with seven runs - six earned - and nine hits in six innings.

"We had some plays there in the fourth where if we make them, it might have been a different ball game," Texas manager Ron Washington said. "But we ended up not making those plays and they put four runs on the board.

"That's why they're World Series champs two of the last four years. They take advantage of opportunities."

Manny Delcarmen came on for Beckett to start the sixth and threw two perfect innings to extend his current scoreless inning streak to 10 1/3. The righthander has allowed one hit while fanning 11 in his last 9 1/3.