Post-season still agrees with Josh Beckett. For John Lackey, Fenway Park and the Red Sox still do not. Beckett, whose last post-season appearance was a five-hit shutout against the New York Yankees in Game Six of the 2003 World Series, was dominant tonight, tossing a complete game, four-hit shutout versus the Los Angeles Angels. Meanwhile, the Sox continued to bash Lackey as they reached the Angels right-hander for all four runs in the first three innings on the way to a 4-0 victory in Game One of the American League Division Series.
The Sox and Angels meet again at Fenway Park in Game Two on Friday night, when Daisuke Matsuzaka (15-12, 4.40 ERA) opposes Kelvim Escobar (18-7, 3.40 ERA).
Lackey entered tonight's game with a career record of 1-6 and a 6.27 ERA against the Sox. This season, he was 0-2 with an 8.38 ERA in two starts. It did not take long for Boston to send Lackey a message that Game One would be no different. Kevin Youkilis, hitting in the No. 2 spot, launched a drive over the Green Monster to give the Sox a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. In the third, Youkilis lined a double and David Ortiz followed with a two-run blast. Mike Lowell added an RBI single that lifted the Sox ahead 4-0.
To his credit, Lackey did settle down and keep the Angels in the game. He departed after surrendering four runs and nine hits in six innings. With the way Beckett pitched, four runs might as well have been 14. After Chone Figgins opened the game with a base hit, Beckett retired 18 consecutive batters. He overpowered Angels hitters with a high 90s fast ball, frustrated them with a nasty breaking ball and confused them with a bewildering change-up.
Overall, Beckett threw 108 pitches, 83 of which were strikes. Yes, 83. Beckett's control was so pinpoint perfect that he tossed just 25 balls. His start was one of the most impressive outings you will see. He struck out eight, did not issue a walk and allowed just four harmless singles, two of which were hit by Vladimir Guerrero.
The Sox bullpen will certainly be rested when Game Two arrives. Matsuzaka has pitched in several high-profile games in Japan. Hopefully, the Dice-K we see on Friday is similar to the one who looked impressive in his season finale rather than the starter who was weary before getting a much-needed breather in September.
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