ALDS2: Angels 4, Red Sox 1

Red Sox - 000 100 000 - 1  4  0
Angels  - 000 100 30x - 4  6  0

Another four hits, another resounding loss. And the Red Sox will fly back to Boston in an 0-2 hole. Game 3 is on Sunday at noon.

Only four American League teams have come back from being down 0-2 in an LDS -- and two of those four are Red Sox teams (1999, 2003). So it's certainly possible, but this team will have to rouse itself from its offensive slumber to do so.

Beckett and Weaver had a hell of a pitchers duel going until the 7th-inning stretch. Only one player reached base in the first three innings. Both teams scored in the fourth: Jacoby Ellsbury tripled and scored on Victor Martinez's single; then Bobby Abreu singled, took third on Vladimir Guerrero's hit and scored on Kendry Morales's sacrifice fly.

Beckett began the seventh at only 75 pitches and having retired the previous eight batters. He fell behind the first two hitters 3-0, walking Guerrero (his only pass of the game), but battling back to retire Morales. With Juan Rivera at the plate, pinch-runner Howie Kendrick stole second. Kendrick stayed put as Rivera grounded hard to third, but he was able to score on Maicer Izturis's single into right-center, giving LA a 2-1 lead.

Billy Wagner had been up for awhile, but Terry Francona stayed with Beckett. Izturis stole second on the first pitch to Mike Napoli. Then Beckett plunked Napoli with a 2-2 curveball. It was time for a pitching change, but Playoff Tito was nowhere to be seen. Erick Aybar whacked a 2-1 pitch over Ellsbury's head in center for a two-run triple, bringing the curtain down on Beckett's performance.

In the ninth, Kevin Youkilis doubled with one out and Jason Bay walked with two outs, but Mike Lowell flew out to center to end the game. (Boston's other hit was a two-out single by Ellsbury in the eighth.)

Josh Beckett (3.86, 123 ERA+) / Jered Weaver (3.75, 121 ERA+)

Is tonight a must-win? It feels like it.

In a best-of-5 series, every game is important. Down 0-2, needing to win three in a row, would be a tough task (especially if the bats remain AWOL). Tied 1-1 with the first two of three possible games at Fenway Park -- I can live with that. (Like I have a choice?)

Beckett:

There are no issues physically at all. Obviously last year was a little bit different. So as far as physically coming in (this year), it's a lot better. Last month it's been better than it was two months ago, so I'm just looking forward to going out there and doing what I'm supposed to do.

Jason Bay:

We had four singles and three errors. That isn't going to win too many ballgames. We need more offense.

The Red Sox were held without a run and without an extra-base hit only five times during the regular season.

Terry Francona "fell ill an hour before first pitch with food poisoning". Bad tacos for lunch, apparently. He missed the introductions and Brad Mills was told he might have to take charge, but Tito was there when the first pitch was thrown. Asked after the game about the umpiring ("What was your main complaint or beef there?"), Tito said: "Don't bring up the word beef, please."

Francona's regular cribbage opponent is now George Kottaras. "Pedey quit 'cause he stinks." ... David Ortiz and Dustin Pedroia each were tested for performance-enhancing drugs after last night's game. No word if CB Bucknor was given an eye exam.

The New York Times says Chip Caray "is still prone to bad play calls, descriptive exaggerations and factual errors. ... [There is] a pattern of an announcer out of his element."

Times: Game 3 is set for Noon on Sunday. Game 4 will be at 8:30 on Monday, but would be moved to 7:30 if the Twins-Yankees series is finished. Game 5 in Anaheim is set for 9:30, but will be moved to 8:00 if there are no other games scheduled.

And: Twins/Blackburn (0) at Yankees/Burnett (1) at 6 PM

(Background to Molina (and not Dumbo) catching Burnett)