Tosses a gem, and isn't tossed
Beckett commands spotlight in victory
MINNEAPOLIS - It might have been a moment of weakness from Josh Beckett that prompted the histrionics in the bottom of the seventh inning, but it was his other 110 pitches yesterday that continued the Red Sox ace on an upward trajectory. It's a vital trajectory, too. With some starters - Jon Lester and Daisuke Matsuzaka - lacking, Beckett appears to have turned his season around over his last five starts.
Beckett allowed just three hits in seven innings and struck out eight to up his record to 5-2 and lower his ERA to 4.60. He gave up a home run to Joe Crede in the second and walked four.
"He threw a fastball to Crede that he didn't locate, but other than that I thought he repeated pitches," manager Terry Francona said. "He threw that two-seamer to lefties, on the front hip, and to righties it's coming back over the plate right from the first inning.
"First one he threw to [Denard] Span, and I thought that created a little bit of confidence. I thought he dealt with some adversity out there. I thought there was a tight plate, and he kept battling and didn't give in and didn't make a mistake."
Though he wasn't happy with the way a couple of pitches were called by umpire Todd Tichenor, Beckett still managed to get through seven productive innings against a team that had been swinging the bat well.
Beckett began the season with a gem, then went through four subpar starts, the nadir a 13-0 loss to the Rays April 30. Since then, Beckett has picked up, especially with his command.
"First of all, I think he's really good," Francona said. "I think it was a matter of time. But he's repeating pitches . . . when he trusts his stuff he starts getting that movement on that two-seamer. Gives him a two-seam, four-seam movement. Gives him a little different look. He threw some good changeups, couple good breaking balls. So that gives him a different look."
"I have a lot of respect for the Twins, I always have," he said. "I love the way they play the game, I really do. I think this place stinks. The ballpark stinks. Balls are hitting the roof, the speakers. It's awful."
Fortunately for Francona, the Sox made their final regular-season trip to the Metrodome, with the Twins moving into Target Field next season. The Sox finished 58-80 at the park. So, barring a trip in the postseason, Francona won't have to deal with the Metrodome's unique aspects again.
"I'm sure [the Twins are] more comfortable here than other teams because they're here more," Francona said. "Saying that, I bet you they're glad to go to a new ballpark, too. Coming up these steps [from the dugout to the clubhouse] is going to take two years off your career."
Francona said he prefers other indoor parks, even not-so-popular ones such as the Kingdome and Tropicana Field. The Metrodome, he said, just feels like an office building.
"I'm still looking for a ball," he said harking back to his playing days. "I actually played here in '88 with the Indians. [Greg ] Swindell had a good game going, bases loaded, I stood out in left field with my hands [up]. Nobody helped me out. Wanted to go sit in the outfield, not come in."
