Red Sox 4, Indians 2
Josh Beckett pitched 6 2/3 strong innings and was backed by Jason Varitek’s first homer in nearly a year to lift the visiting Boston Red Sox to a 4-2 win over the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday night.
Beckett (4-1) allowed one run and struck out six in lowering his league-leading ERA to 1.69. He has given up one run or less in each of his last five starts.
Jonathan Paplebon allowed a solo homer to Travis Buck, but worked the ninth for his ninth save in 10 chances.
Adrian Gonzalez doubled home Jacoby Ellsbury in the third inning against Indians starter Fausto Carmona (3-5) to give the Red Sox a 2-1 lead.
Varitek added a two-run homer off the foul pole in right field in the seventh for his first homer since May 30, 2010.
Carmona allowed four runs in eight innings. He hasn’t won since May 3.