G11: Red Sox 7, Angels 2

Series Score: Red Sox 25, Angels 3

Six runs in the first inning buried the Angels and Josh Beckett (6-6-1-1-5) threw another quality start as Boston improved to 7-4.

After Orlando Cabrera hit a solo homer in the top of the first, Julio Lugo doubled, Kevin Youkilis singled (1-1), David Ortiz doubled, Manny Ramirez singled (3-1), JD Drew reached on a FC/E4 (4-1), and Mike Lowell doubled (5-1). After two were out, Alex Cora doubled (6-1).

Once again, despite the cold weather, Beckett had a great curve and changeup. In the 3rd, after throwing four fastballs to O-Cab, Beckett got him swinging at an outside curve for one of his five strikeouts. Beckett also spotted his fastball on the outside corner very well.

Ortiz homered over the camera platform dead center in the 4th. ... Lugo made three great plays, two on popups in center field with his back to the infield and another on a grounder in the hole.

Hideki Ojakima pitched a perfect 7th, striking out the first two Angels on six pitches. JC Romero allowed a single in the 8th and Kyle Snyder gave up a solo home run to Howie Kendrick in the 9th.

Anyone else see the Foul Ball Pizza Toss in the bottom of the 7th?

***

New starting time due to "heavy rain and high winds overnight and Monday morning" in Boston: 12:05 PM

Lineup (and stats v Santana):

Lugo, SS      3-for-9
Youkilis, 1B    ---
Ortiz, DH     2-for-4
Ramirez, LF   0-for-5
Drew, RF      0-for-2
Lowell, 3B    1-for-1
Varitek, C    0-for-5
Pena, CF        ---
Cora, 2B      1-for-1

***

Ervin Santana / Josh Beckett, 12 PM

Terry Francona's lineup on Sunday had Wily Mo Pena in center field -- his first start of the season -- but the game was washed out. Tito said if the Angels stick with Santana, Pena will be in there Monday.

Toronto beat Detroit 2-1 on Sunday (in 2:08!), but the Sox still hold a .017 lead in the East. Any combination of Red Sox wins or Yankee losses totalling 151 will eliminate New York from the AL East race.