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Beckett: Boston’s star
Josh Beckett put in a brilliant performance as the Boston Red Sox recorded a 4-0 win over the Anaheim Angels in the American League Division Series.
Starting pitcher Beckett was virtually untouchable all day long, allowing just four hits over the course of nine innings.
He also managed not to walk a batter and struck out eight. During one stretch of the game he retired no less than 19 straight batters.
“He was throwing the ball better than he has at any point in the season. He was in control of himself,” Red Sox manager Terry Francona said.
Beckett’s brilliance was backed up by a two-run homer from David Ortiz and a first-inning rocket from Kevin Youkilis. Mike Lowell had the other RBI of the night.
The two teams are back at Fenway Park on Friday for game two of the series.
Rockies soar, Cubs crushed
In the National League, the red hot Colorado Rockies melted the Philadelphia Phillies 4-2 to go1-0 ahead in their National League Division Series.
Three runs in the second innings gave the Rockies a lead that proved to be too much for their opponents, Matt Holiday’s solo home run in the eighth giving the team some breathing room.
Aaron Rowand and Pat Burrell hit homers for the Phillies in the fifth inning.
Rockies’ pitcher Jeff Francis was excellent, giving up two runs on four hits with eight strikeouts.
The Phillies will hope to level the series in game two on Thursday.
In Arizona, the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Chicago Cubs 3-1 in their opening NLDS clash.
Pitchers Brandon Webb and Carlos Zambrano were both dominating, giving up one run respectively.
However, Zambrano’s chance to be on the winning side was given up by Cubs reliever Carlos Marmol, who gave up a go-ahead home run to Mark Reynolds.
Pinch-hitter Conor Jackson added a sacrifice fly RBI to seal the result for the home side. Game two is on Thursday in Arizona.
Source: www.skysports.com
