Beckett throws gem in series opener
BOSTON, Oct. 3 (UPI) -- Josh Beckett threw a four-hit shutout Wednesday, carrying Boston to a 4-0 win over the Los Angeles Angels in the opening game of their playoff series.
Beckett, the only 20-game winner in the majors this season, scattered four singles, did not walk a batter and threw 83 of 108 pitches for strikes.
He allowed a lead-off single to Chone Figgins in the first and then retired 19 consecutive batters before Vladimir Guerrero produced a single in the seventh.
The Red Sox will try to take a two-game lead in the best-of-five American League Division Series Friday night before the teams head to Anaheim for Game 3 Sunday.
A homer with one out in the first inning by Kevin Youkilis gave Boston the only run it needed and David Ortiz added a two-run shot in the third after Youkilis had doubled.
Mike Lowell singled in Manny Ramirez later in the third for the final run of the game.
The loss went to John Lackey, who finished the regular season with three straight victories but who now has a 1-7 career record against Boston. Lackey allowed nine hits and four runs over six innings.
Francis carries Rockies past Phillies
PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 3 (UPI) -- Jeff Francis gave up two runs and just four hits in six innings Wednesday as Colorado beat Philadelphia 4-2 in Game 1 of their NL Division Series.
Colorado established a 3-0 lead in the top of the second as Garrett Atkins, Yorvit Torrealba and Troy Tulowitzki each drove in one run.
After Philadelphia's Aaron Rowand and Pat Burrell hit back-to-back solo homers in the fifth to trim Colorado’s lead to 3-2, Matt Holliday added a solo shot in the eighth.
Torrealba had two of the Rockies' six hits.
Francis (1-0) walked two batters and fanned eight in his first-ever post-season outing in Colorado’s second-ever post-season contest and first since 1995. He fanned Ryan Howard and Chase Utley a total of five times.
Colorado closer Manny Corpas hurled a 1-2-3 ninth.
Philadelphia starter Cole Hamels (0-1) allowed three earned runs and three hits in 6 2/3 innings with four walks and seven strikeouts.
Culpepper earns weekly player honor
NEW YORK, Oct. 3 (UPI) -- Oakland quarterback Daunte Culpepper Wednesday was among the NFL's Player of the Week honorees.
In his first start as a Raider, Culpepper, the AFC's top player, produced five touchdowns -- three rushing, two passing -- to become the second quarterback in league history with that combination in one game as Oakland beat Miami, his former team, 35-17. Jake Plummer, now-retired, accomplished the feat with Denver in 1998.
Culpepper was joined in the weekly AFC honors by Buffalo cornerback Jabari Greer (defense) and Kansas City place-kicker Dave Rayner (special teams).
The NFC honorees were Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre (offense), New York Giants end Osi Umenyiora (defense), and Arizona kick returner Steve Breaston (special teams).
Greer’s fourth-quarter interception led to the Bills' 17-14 win over the New York Jets.
Rayner booted three field goals as the Chiefs stung San Diego 30-16.
Favre became the league’s all-time leader in touchdown passes as the Packers beat Minnesota 23-16.
Umenyiora had a career-high and franchise-record six sacks and two forced fumbles in the Giants' 16-3 win over Philadelphia.
Red Wings begin season with shootout win
DETROIT, Oct. 3 (UPI) -- Jim Hudler produced the only goal of the shootout Wednesday night as Detroit opened its season with a 3-2 victory over Anaheim.
Hudler was the third Red Wing to take a shot in the shootout and he delivered a backhand that sailed past Ilja Bryzgalov. Corey Perry had a chance to extend the shootout for Anaheim, but Dominik Hasek smothered Perry's attempt to stuff the puck between the goaltender's pads.
This was a rematch of last season's Western Conference Finals, which Anaheim won in six games.
Henrik Zetterberg had a goal and an assist for Detroit while Tomas Holmstrom scored for the Red Wings.
Anaheim opened its season in London last weekend by splitting two games with Los Angeles.
