(Sports Network) - Josh Beckett returns to the hill at Fenway Park for the first time in nearly three months this evening when the Boston Red Sox continue their four-game series with the Cleveland Indians.
Beckett has made two starts on the road since returning from a two-month stint on the disabled list because of a bad back and has gone 1-0, while surrendering four runs in 12 1/3 frames. The hard-throwing righty picked up the win on Wednesday in Anaheim, as he held the Angels to three runs and five hits in seven innings to up his record to 2-1 on the season to go along with a 6.33 earned run average.
"I actually thought he was better than his line indicated, and his line was pretty good," said manager Terry Francona.
Beckett, though, has struggled in his career against the Tribe, posting a 2-4 record with a 6.56 ERA in six starts.
Boston will need a big start from Beckett tonight if it's going to even this set after Cleveland drew first blood on Monday. Shelley Duncan went 4-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored, lifting the Indians to a 6-5 win.
Shin-Soo Choo drove in two runs while Jordan Brown scored twice in the win for Cleveland, which won three in a row.
Fausto Carmona (11-8) got the win as he gave up two runs -- one earned -- on eight hits with a walk and five strikeouts over seven innings.
Adrian Beltre hit a solo homer in the seventh and a three-run shot in the eighth and finished with five RBI in the loss for the Red Sox, who lost for only the second time in seven tries.
John Lackey (10-6) was tagged with six runs on nine hits with five walks and seven strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings.
There were a pair of injuries in the game as Boston first baseman Kevin Youkilis left in the third inning with an injured right thumb, while Cleveland catcher Carlos Santana left in the seventh inning after a collision at the plate with Ryan Kalish. Santana was taken off the field after being helped onto a stretcher.
"He tested well with the trainers. They don't feel he has any serious damage," Indians manager Manny Acta said of his young catcher. "He's leaving [Tuesday] for Cleveland to get an MRI."
Getting the call for the Indians tonight will be left-hander David Huff, who hasn't pitched at the major league level since getting battered by the Pittsburgh Pirates on June 19. He is 2-9 on the year with a 6.04 ERA.
Huff lost to the Red Sox on June 8 in his only other appearance against them. He gave up three unearned runs in six innings of that on.
Cleveland has won three of its five games with the Red Sox this season after losing seven of nine to them last season.