Beckett returns for the fifth; Delcarmen warming

Josh Beckett just came out for the fifth inning, a big surprise. He gave a quick glance toward home plate as he coolly paced off the field after the fourth, surely satisfied that his work was to that point a success. His 63d pitch of the night, a 2-2, 93-m.p.h. on the outside corner, zipped past the bat of Hank Blalock for strike three and stranded runners on first and third. Beckett's next challenge on his return -- wiggling out of a jam -- had been conquered.

Beckett slowed during his fourth inning, showing the first signs of anything that even resembled vulnerability. It took him 23 pitches to complete the inning, and his control wavered for the first time. He allowed three hits -- a roller to deep short, a laser from Josh Hamilton and a flare by Milton Bradley. The slight trouble and ease with which the Red Sox controlled the game seemed to point to an exit. Instead, Beckett is still hurling and Manny Delcarmen is warming in the bullpen. Beckett is still in control; he just struck out Brandon Boggs.

Beckett's performance will surely launch endless headlines and discussion tomorrow, but the Red Sox offense and the Rangers' horrendous defense is making it moot for the purposes of this game's outcome. It's 5-0 thanks in part to two unearned runs the Rangers allowed in the fourth.

Also, Tampa Bay is down two in the ninth, with two men on.