May 20
Beckett allowed one run on seven hits and two walks while striking out five in 7.2 innings Sunday in Boston's win over Philadelphia.
Recommendation: Beckett was dominant for the second consecutive start and was quality for the seventh time in nine outings.
May 16
Beckett pitched his best game of the season, striking out nine and scattering four hits over seven innings as the Red Sox shut out the Seattle Mariners 5-0 on Tuesday.
Advice: Beckett celebrated his 32nd birthday and improved to 3-4. ``I don't think I was trying to make a statement,'' Beckett said. ``I don't even know that I did. Location was key for me today, I just kept the ball down.''
May 14
RHP Josh Beckett will attempt to put behind last week's controversy when he takes the mound Tuesday at Fenway Park. Beckett was criticized for playing golf on the Red Sox's off-day May 3, one day after being skipped for one turn in the rotation because of a stiff lat muscle. The Red Sox defended Beckett by claiming the move to skip his turn was precautionary and that the pitcher wasn't classified as being injured, and Beckett insisted his activities on a day off were nobody's business. He returned to the rotation last Thursday night and got pounded for seven runs in 2 1/3 innings by the Indians. Manager Bobby Valentine said he hopes Beckett has put behind all the golf distractions. After last week's start, Valentine suggested Beckett may have been tipping pitches. On Monday, Valentine declined to divulge if the team's video analysis of Beckett's recent starts have confirmed that belief.
