ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) -- Josh Beckett rebounded from one of the worst outings of his career to pitch six strong innings, David Ortiz hit his 46th homer, and the Boston Red Sox beat the Los Angeles Angels 2-1 Thursday night to hand rookie Jered Weaver his first loss.
Weaver (9-1) was trying to become the third pitcher in big-league history to win his first 10 decisions as a starter, joining 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 nine straight wins as starters.
Weaver pitched very well, but left trailing 1-0 after allowing four hits including the homer by Ortiz in six innings. The 23-year-old right-hander walked one, struck out six and threw 107 pitches while lowering his ERA to 1.92.
Beckett (14-8) blanked the Angels on four hits before leaving in the seventh because of a small cut on his right middle finger. He was relieved by Mike Timlin after issuing his first walk of the game, to Garret Anderson, and throwing two balls to Juan Rivera.
Timlin threw two more balls to Rivera, with the walk charged to Beckett. After a wild pitch put runners at second and third, Howie Kendrick singled to left to drive in Anderson, but Wily Mo Pena threw Rivera out at the plate.
Timlin retired the next two batters to end the seventh, and the first two batters in the eighth before being replaced by Jonathan Papelbon, who got the final four outs for his 34th save in 40 chances.
Beckett 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 nine and gave up nine earned runs -- both career highs -- in a 13-5 loss to the New York Yankees.
The win was the second straight for the Red Sox following a six-game losing streak. They trail the AL East-leading Yankees by 5½ games. The Angels lost their second in a row after a five-game winning streak, and fell 5½ games behind AL West-leading Oakland.
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