One mistake by Josh Beckett, a few chances missed, and a out right dominant Fausto Carmona spelled a 1-0 defeat for the Boston Red Sox (61-40).
That one mistake by Beckett (13-4) was a homerun ball given up to Franklin Gutierrez in the third inning, other than Gutierrez sixth homerun on the season Beckett pitched well throwing for 8 innings, only giving up four hits, one run, no walks, and seven strikeouts.
Carmona was a tad better earning his 13th win of the season also pitching 8 innings, allowing four hits, no runs, two walks, and striking out six batters. Carmona did not allow a hit in the game until the sixth inning as Coco Crisp reached on an infield single breaking up the early no-hit bid.
Boston had their chances though as Crisp was tagged out at home in the sixth trying to score on a David Ortiz single to shallow center. Crisp ran hard 3/4 of the way to the plate, slowed down, and picked up his speed again, but it was too late as he was tagged out by Indians catcher Victor Martinez for the final out of the inning.
Crisp’s lack of hustle towards the plate cost Boston and Beckett a run in the game, the tying run at that. Against a pitcher like Carmona who was plain filthy on the night and now has won his last 5 starts (including this one) it is necessary to score as many runs as possible. It is also necessary to run to the plate hard at all times.
Another chance Boston had came in the eigth as Jason Varitek attempted to steal second base but was caught stealing. What looked like a hit and run play turned into a runner gunned out by Martinez as either Varitek missed a sign or Alex Cora did. Cora kept the bat on his shoulders while Varitek took off for second base and was easily thrown out killing any sembelance of a rally in the inning.
Joe Borowski finished off the ninth inning earning his 29th save of the season.
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