Road woes continue for Red Sox

How can a team that is so good at Fenway Park look so lackluster on the road? That is the question Red Sox fans are posing. Last season, Boston was 45-36 away from Fenway, which was best in the American League and second best in the Major Leagues, next to the New York Mets' 47-34 mark. This year, the Red Sox are 21-31 on the road and 36-11 at Fenway. The Sox continued their losing ways yesterday, falling to the Angels, 4-2. No surprise of this result since the game was played in Anaheim.

Not even Josh Beckett could stop the road woes. The Red Sox ace was masterful through six innings, blanking the Angels. Then the seventh inning arrived. Vladimir Guerrero led off with a solo home run. After two singles, a sacrifice bunt and an intentional walk loaded the bases, pinch-hitter Erick Aybar emptied them with a three-run triple.

Aside from a two-run home run by Kevin Youkilis in the second inning, Boston bats had no answer for left-handed starter Joe Saunders and relievers Jose Arredondo, Scot Shields and Francisco Rodriguez. Too bad the Red Sox bullpen does not mimic the Angels. Boston relievers are so ineffective that Terry Francona understandably let Beckett pitch the eighth, in which he did not allow a run. Overall, Beckett surrendered four runs and eight hits in eight innings.

The Red Sox desperately need a win tonight when Tim Wakefield opposes Jon Garland. The Yankees have started the post-All Star break in a positive way against the light-hitting Oakland A's. Ditto for the Tampa Bay Rays, which are handling the underachieving Blue Jays at Tropicana Field. Boston needs to end this road trip on a high. A win tonight at Oakland and at least two wins at Safeco Field against the struggling Mariners will suffice.

At least there was good news at Pawtucket, where David Ortiz hit three home runs in three games. Apparently, the wrist is feeling strong. Big Papi is expected to play three games at Double-A Portland before returning to the Red Sox lineup this Friday against the Yankees at Fenway Park.