A pair of first inning singles represent the only trouble Josh Beckett has had through the first three innings of Sunday’s game as the Red Sox and Astros remain tied at 0-0 through three.
After striking out Michael Bourn to start his outing, Beckett gave up back-to-back line drive singles to Clint Barmes and Hunter Pence, but was spared any damage when Kevin Youkilis snagged another liner off the bat of Carlos Lee, and Matt Downs popped up to end the inning.
Since then, he’s been on fire, striking out four of the next six batters, not allowing any to reach in either the second or third.
Jordan Lyles started off the game hot, retiring the first six men he faced, but ran into some trouble in the third. Jason Varitek walked with one out, and managed to break up a double play off a bad bunt by Josh Beckett. Jacoby Ellsbury flaired a single to right-center, and Dustin Pedroia walked to load the bases, but Adrian Gonzalez got under a good pitch to hit, flying out to center to end the threat.