BALTIMORE, Aug. 11 (UPI) -- Josh Beckett came within one strike of a complete game shutout Saturday but the Boston Red Sox had to settle for a 6-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles.
Miguel Tejada spoiled Beckett's clean slate, rapping a two-out, two-strike hit that scored Brian Roberts. Kevin Millar followed with a double that scored Tejada and chased Beckett.
Still, Beckett improved to 15-5, having given up the two runs on eight hits. He struck out eight and didn't issue a walk. Jonathan Papelbon followed Manny Delcarmen to the mound and came away with his 27th save.
By avoiding the shutout, the Orioles remained the only team in the majors not to have been held scoreless this season.
J.D. Drew and Julio Lugo each drove in two early runs. Lugo's two-run double in the second gave Boston its initial lead, and Drew's two-run single in the third extended it.
Boston added a pair of insurance runs in eighth on four walks and a Dustin Pedroia single. The Red Sox have won nine of their last 15 games.
Garrett Olson (1-1) took the loss for the O's.
