Despite uncharacteristically ineffective pitching by Josh Beckett, the Red Sox still trounced the highly touted Brewers, 11-7, to complete a three-game series sweep and extend a string of dominance over the Senior Circuit that is nearing ridiculous proportions. The win improved the Sox to 35-8 vs. NL opponents - including last October’s World Series sweep of Colorado - since the start of the 2006 season, including 20-3 at Fenway Park. The Sox swept Milwaukee at Fenway for the first time since May 20-22, 1991. Yesterday, Beckett gave up six runs in seven innings and surrendered four home runs for the first time since May 30, 2006, at Toronto, only to be absolved by his teammates, who belted four of their own, including two off the officially revived bat of David Ortiz (Nos. 9, 10). Dustin Pedroia (No. 2) and Kevin Youkilis (No. 9) also cleared the fences.
Sox Notes: With Clay Buchholz on the disabled list and the rotation slightly askew from Saturday’s doubleheader against Milwaukee, the Red Sox will dip into the minors for two of the four starting assignments against Kansas City this week at Fenway Park. Justin Masterson will be recalled from Double-A Portland tomorrow for his second, one-game cameo of the season. In all likelihood, he then will be returned to the minors to make room for Bartolo Colon’s recall from Triple-A Pawtucket. Colon is set to pitch Wednesday.
