Beckett, however, lived up the billing the second time around, going seven strong in Kansas City to pick up his first win of the season and earn Amica Pitcher of the Week honors.
With the Sox stuck in an early-season three-game skid, Beckett was the stopper. He went seven innings, giving up nine hits and a walk but limiting the damage to just three earned runs.
Not only was Beckett able to tiptoe around danger on the scoresheet, but he was able to just avoid a line drive to the head in the seventh inning. David DeJesus lined a Beckett pitch right back through the box, but it only glanced off the back of Beckett's head.
"It didn't hit me very hard," Beckett said. "I wasn't too worried about it."
Beckett shook it off and retired the next batter to close out his outing, bringing his ERA down from 9.64 to 6.17. He'll have his next shot of lowering it on Friday night at Fenway against the Rays.