Terry Francona has to be happy with the performance of his ace.
Red Sox starter Josh Beckett went six innings in Wednesday's 9-2 win over the Kansas City Royals and allowed 12 hits. Although it nearly tied his career high of 13 from Aug. 29, 2007, Beckett gave up only two runs, holding the Royals in check and getting himself out of many jams. He furthered his cause by striking out seven.
Beckett was helped out by his offense and a six-run fifth inning, as he recorded his 16th win of the season and 90th for the Red Sox, who now hold a magic number of five.
"He had a pretty good beginning and end,” Francona said of Beckett’s control. “In the middle, I thought he had a little streak there where he got hard and flat."
Luckily for the Red Sox, the Royals were not able to capitalize on Beckett's shakiness.
The opposite could be said for Boston’s offense, which also posted 12 hits and turned them into nine runs. Royals right-hander Luke Hochevar was responsible for six of them and left the game after only five innings.
The Red Sox finish up their series with the Royals on Thursday as Clay Buchholz (6-3) faces off against Anthony Lerew (0-0). Then the Sox travel to the Bronx to face the Yankees this weekend.
