Beckett Struggles In 5th, Red Sox Lose To Pirates
BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) - Josh Beckett was happy with his outing -- until the fifth inning.
Beckett failed to record an out in Pittsburgh's six-run fifth as the Boston Red Sox lost 9-4 to the Pirates on Sunday.
"It's a shame that a whole outing gets ruined by one inning, but that's kind of the case," Beckett said. "I feel like I pitched well in the middle three innings."
Beckett worked four-plus innings and allowed five runs on four hits, walked two and struck out five. He threw 76 pitches. He faced four batters without getting an out in the fifth. Four of the Pirates' six runs in the inning were charged to him.
"That's not how it's supposed to end, because I was feeling good," Beckett said.
It was Beckett's third outing of spring training. On Feb. 28, he had mild concussion symptoms after being struck in the head by a ball during batting practice.
"I think I've caught back up completely from the concussion," Beckett said. "I didn't feel tired."
Ronny Cedeno began the bottom of the fifth with a solo homer to left field. Dusty Brown walked, Andy Marte blooped a double and Jose Tabata was hit by a pitch.
Neil Walker lined the first pitch from reliever Scott Atchison into right for a tying single. Pedro Alvarez's double put the Pirates up, 5-3. Lyle Overbay added a two-run single.
The first hit off Beckett was John Bowker's two-out, solo home run in the second inning. It was Bowker's second homer this spring.
Bowker, who is out of minor league options, is trying to make the Pirates' roster as a reserve outfielder. After being slowed by tendinitis in his wrist early in camp, he has hit safely in six of his past seven games.
"I'm trying to get my timing down again," Bowker said. "I'm not trying to do too much, just hit line drives."
Pirates starter Brad Lincoln allowed two runs on two hits in three innings. The right-hander walked two and struck out three.
"He got into a good rhythm at times," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. "There were a few times when he rushed and he was missing arm-side out, arm-side up a little bit. He's working in the right direction, no doubt."
Mike Cameron's two-run double in the third inning gave the Red Sox a 2-1 lead. Lars Anderson homered, singled and scored two runs. Drew Sutton walked, singled and scored once.
NOTES: Red Sox RHP Clay Buchholz and RHP Tim Wakefield will pitch a camp game Monday. They each will pitch in separate split-squad games Friday. ... Red Sox LHP Felix Doubront (elbow) threw a bullpen session Sunday. ... Pirates C Chris Snyder said his back injury is only "little, nagging aches" and he doesn't expect
to be out long. Snyder was scratched from the lineup Saturday. ... Pirates LHP Joe Beimel (forearm) and LHP Scott Olsen (hamstring) are scheduled to make their spring training debuts Monday against Baltimore. Olsen is vying for the No. 5 spot in the rotation. ... The crowd of 6,602 on Sunday was the largest in the 42-year history of McKechnie Field.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
