Josh Beckett, went eight innings to become the first Sox starter to pitch at least seven on a night the bullpen needed the rest. Jonathan Papelbon replaced Beckett in the ninth and struck out Giambi, making it 14 outs out of 17 in which he has registered a whiff. Posada doubled and took third on a wild pitch, then scored on Robinson Cano’s roller to short. Cabrera momentarily lifted hometown hopes by taking Papelbon deep on a 2-and-0 pitch to make it 7-5, but Papelbon caught pinch hitter Hideki Matsui looking to end it. The Sox, who banged out a season-high 14 hits and lost Wednesday night, kept on hitting last night, rapping out 13 against Mussina and three relievers. Every Sox player in the lineup had at least one hit, except still-slumping David Ortiz and leadoff man Jacoby Ellsbury, who became the hittee instead of the hitter. Ellsbury was hit by a pitch in his first two plate appearances, stole second on the next pitch each time, rushed Chad Moeller into a throwing error on his second attempt, and jump-started the Sox’ four-run rally in the third. Sore-toed Kevin Youkilis had two hits and scored twice; J.D. Drew had two hits, including a two-run double; and Jason Varitek and Dustin Pedroia also had two hits apiece, each driving in a run.The Sox come home to face Texas after taking three of four from the Indians and Yankees on this mini-trip, ended a five-game losing streak in the Bronx. They split the two-game set after taking two of three from the Yankees in Fenway Park last weekend.
Sox Notes: Daisuke Matsuzaka (3-0, 2.70) opposes Luis Mendoza (0-1, 1.80) tonight at Fenway.
