News
Humbled Beckett returns to mound
Toronto (58-67) at Boston (73-54), 7:10 p.m. ET
By John Barone / MLB.com
08/28/09 1:34 AM ET
BOSTON -- If Josh Beckett's past two starts have proved nothing else, it's that the Red Sox's ace is human after all.The numbers weren't pretty -- quite horrid, actually -- for the Boston right-hander in the pair of outings. Among the ghastly figures: 13 1/3 innings pitched, 18 hits, 15 runs (all earned) and eight home runs, five of which came in Sunday's eight-run shellacking against the Yankees to set a new career high.
"Obviously, you tend to remember these [games]," Beckett said late Sunday night. "These are humbling deals. That was a whooping I got today. Those are the only words I've got to sum it up."
He'll get a chance to rediscover his Cy Young Award candidate-form on Friday night, when the Blue Jays visit Fenway Park for the opener of a three-game weekend series.
Toronto was the initial contributor to Beckett's mini-slump on Aug. 18 at Rogers Centre, knocking the 29-year-old around to the tune of seven runs over 5 1/3 frames -- his highest earned run total and fewest innings pitched in a game since April 30.
A short memory will be of the essence if Beckett is to tame the same Jays lineup that teed off on him just 10 days ago.
Needless to say, Beckett's teammates aren't concerned in the least about his struggles.
"We haven't got the Josh that we're used to," infielder Kevin Youkilis said. "Hopefully these past two starts will just be what it is, and we can move on. Hopefully his next start will be a good one and he'll get his confidence going to push him through September."
Pitching matchupBOS: RHP Josh Beckett (14-5, 3.65 ERA)
Beckett allowed a career-high five home runs on Sunday against the Yankees, becoming just the third Red Sox pitcher since 1954 to cough up five taters in a game. The Boston ace scattered nine hits and fanned five over eight innings, but more than half of New York's knocks left the yard. TOR: RHP Scott Richmond (6-7, 4.09 ERA)
Richmond dropped his third straight decision on Saturday, logging seven innings in a 7-3 loss to the Angels at Rogers Centre. Three of the four runs he allowed came in the third frame -- a costly blip in an otherwise strong outing. Richmond, who was pitching on 10 days' rest, surrendered six hits and issued three walks, striking out 10 -- one shy of his season high. The right-hander has made one appearance against Boston this season, pitching two scoreless innings out of the bullpen. Tidbits
Rehabbing shortstop Jed Lowrie (ulnar neuritis) was removed from Wednesday's game with Triple-A Pawtucket after experiencing discomfort in his surgically repaired left wrist. He was examined by team trainers on Thursday and will be evaluated by team physician Dr. Thomas Gill, manager Terry Francona said. ... Boston outrighted reliever Fernando Cabrera to the PawSox on Thursday. ... With three home runs in Thursday's 9-5 loss to the White Sox, the Red Sox established a new club record for long balls in the month of August with 48. ... Shortstop Alex Gonzalez raised his American League batting average from .194 to .273 with a 6-for-13 performance in four games against Chicago. Tickets
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• Saturday: Red Sox (Clay Buchholz, 2-3, 5.02) vs. Blue Jays (Ricky Romero, 11-5, 3.91), 7:10 p.m. ET
• Sunday: Red Sox (Jon Lester, 10-7, 3.60) vs. Blue Jays (Roy Halladay, 13-7, 3.03), 1:35 p.m. ET
• Monday: Off-day
John Barone is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
