Red Sox hand Angels rookie Weaver first loss

Jered Weaver was more concerned about the Los Angeles Angels' loss than his winning streak coming to an end. <br/><br/>Weaver was trying to become the third pitcher in major league history to win his

Friday, August 25th 2006, 5:58 am

By: News On 6

Jered Weaver was more concerned about the Los Angeles Angels' loss than his winning streak coming to an end.

Weaver was trying to become the third pitcher in major league history to win his first 10 decisions as a starter, but lost to Josh Beckett and the Boston Red Sox 2-1 on Thursday night.

"I wasn't worried about the streak,'' Weaver said. "It's all about going out there and competing and trying to give our team a chance to win the game. I've been having good hitting and good defense behind me in my last 12 starts or so, but I ran into a good pitcher. Beckett was on his `A' game tonight.''

Weaver was trying to join Hooks Wiltse of the 1904 New York Giants (12-0) and Kirk Reuter of the 1993-94 Montreal Expos (10-0).

Weaver and Whitey Ford of the 1950 New York Yankees share the AL record by beginning their respective careers with 9 straight wins as starters.

Weaver pitched well, but left trailing 1-0 after allowing 4 hits, including a solo homer by David Ortiz in 6 innings. The 23 year old right hander walked 1 and struck out 6 while lowering his ERA to 1.92.

While Weaver has been dominant this season, Beckett rebounded from one of the worst outings of his career to pitch 6 strong innings. He entered with an 0-3 record in four starts this month, having allowed 30 hits and 23 earned runs in 23 2-3 innings. In his previous outing, he walked 9 and gave up 9 earned runs, both career highs in a 13-5 loss to the New York Yankees.

Beckett (14-8) blanked the Angels on 4 hits before leaving in the 7th because of a small cut on his right middle finger.

"I think a lot of things go into it, the way you feel that day,'' the 26 year old right hander said regarding the difference between his performance against the Yankees and his latest outing. "I don't think you can pinpoint one thing.''

In other AL games, it was: Seattle 4, New York 2; Chicago 10, Detroit 0; Cleveland 8, Kansas City 4; Texas 4, Tampa Bay 3; and Minnesota 11, Baltimore 2.

The win was the second straight for the Red Sox following a 6 game losing streak. They trail the AL East leading Yankees by 5 1/2 games. The Angels lost their second in a row after a 5 game winning streak, and fell 5 1/2 games behind AL West leading Oakland.

The Red Sox played without slugger Manny Ramirez, sidelined with a sore right knee. An MRI taken Thursday morning showed no structural damage.

Mariners 4, Yankees 2

Jarrod Washburn had a season high 9 strikeouts in the victory.

Seattle rebounded from a franchise worst 0-11 road trip that ended Sunday for its first home series win over New York since April 7-9, 2000.

The Yankees lost for the second time on their 8 game road trip, despite Randy Johnson's second complete game of the season, and 98th of his career. Johnson (14-10) allowed 4 runs and 7 hits.

Washburn (7-12) allowed 6 hits, 2 runs and 2 walks in 6 1-3 innings.

White Sox 10, Tigers 0

Jon Garland pitched a 6 hitter and Jermaine Dye homered twice to lift Chicago over the host Tigers for a 4 game split.

Chicago, which lost the first 2 games by a combined 11-1, trails the 1st place Tigers by 5 1/2 games in the AL Central and has a slim lead over Minnesota in the wild card race. Detroit, which has lost 5 of 7, had a 10 game lead after play on August 7.

Garland (15-4) struck out 2 and walked 1 in 5th career shutout, his third against Detroit. Nate Robertson (11-10) gave up a career high 10 runs and 9 hits in 6 2-3 innings.

Indians 8, Royals 4

Rookie Andy Marte had a career high 3 RBIs, and Victor Martinez and Ryan Garko hit 9th inning solo homers to lead Cleveland over the host Royals.

Marte's RBI double in the 8th drove in Jhonny Peralta for a 5-4 lead. It was the only hit off Jimmy Gobble (3-5), and the run was unearned because Peralta reached on shortstop Angel Berroa's throwing error. Marte was 3 for 4 and reached base 4 times.

After Martinez and Garko homered on consecutive pitches by Ambiorix Burgos, Franklin Gutierrez added an RBI single.

C.C. Sabathia (9-8) allowed 4 runs, 3 earned and 11 hits in 8 innings, striking out 7 and walking 2.

Rangers 4, Devil Rays 3

Robinson Tejeda won his second consecutive start since being called up from minors and Carlos Lee hit a solo homer, helping visiting Texas beat Tampa Bay and avoid a 4 game sweep.

Tejeda (3-3) gave up 2 runs and 5 hits in 7 2-3 innings. He was recalled from AAA Oklahoma on Saturday to make a start that day and earned a spot in the rotation after giving up 1 run over 6 2-3 innings in a 3-1 win over Detroit.

Akinori Otsuka pitched the 9th and got his 27th save for the Rangers, who are 7 games behind AL West leading Oakland. Texas hosts the Athletics in a 3 game series beginning Friday night.

Tim Corcoran (4-6) allowed 4 runs and 5 hits in 6 innings.

Twins 11, Orioles 2

Michael Cuddyer went 4 for 4 with 4 RBIs, Joe Mauer had 3 hits and drove in 4 runs, and Minnesota cruised past the host Orioles.

Justin Morneau and Torii Hunter homered for the Twins, who remained a half-game behind Chicago in the AL wild card race. Minnesota begins a 3 game series against the White Sox on Friday in Chicago.

Boof Bonser (3-4) was solid in his 11th big league start for Minnesota. The rookie right hander took a 4 hit shutout into the 7th inning. Although he didn't make it out of the inning, Bonser earned his first win in 5 starts since June 24. He gave up 2 runs, 7 hits and a walk in 6 2-3 innings.

Orioles starter Kris Benson (10-10) gave up 6 runs and 10 hits in 3 2-3 innings.