ATLANTA (AP) -- Josh Beckett threw seven more scoreless innings against the Braves and David Ortiz homered, leading the first-place Boston Red Sox past slumping Atlanta 4-1 on Friday night.
Beckett (9-3) has faced the Braves twice in the past seven days -- and still hasn't given up a run. He threw a five-hit, no-walk shutout at Fenway Park last weekend. This time, he allowed six hits, struck out six and didn't walk anyone before turning it over to the bullpen.
Ortiz continued to show signs of bouncing back from his miserable start. Big Papi is hitting .333 over his last 17 games, with seven homers and 14 RBIs, though he's still batting just .218 overall.