For that, they can thank Beckett. The best pitcher in this postseason was again magnificent - aside from a first-inning blip in which he gave up a bloop double to leadoff hitter Grady Sizemore (who would score on a double play) and a sharp single to Asdrubal Cabrera. That inning was soon forgotten as Beckett mowed down the flummoxed Cleveland batters with some of the best stuff he's shown in his career.
As for those who theorized he was distracted in that initial inning by the fact the Indians flew in his former girlfriend Danielle Peck to sing the national anthem, Beckett came at that with heat, too.
"I don't get paid to make those [expletive] decisions," he said. "Thanks for flying one of my friends to the game so she can watch it for free."
In the quiet of the Cleveland clubhouse, the players paid homage to Beckett and his poise.
"He doesn't get enough credit for his sinker," said first baseman Ryan Garko. "He struck me out with that pitch. It's the best one I've seen all year."
Asked if he could place Beckett among the elite performers in the American League, Garko answered, "I've seen Johan [Santana] pitch like that, and [Justin] Verlander. But they weren't better than Beckett - they were just as good."
This latest notch in Beckett's postseason holster will only add to his reputation as a big-time, big-game pitcher. He has proven to be as clutch in the playoffs as former Patriots kicker Adam Vinatieri, who automatically delivered when the game - and the season - was on the line. Boston's Cy Young hopeful has won four consecutive postseason starts, giving up but three earned runs in 32 innings.
"Once he settled down, started establishing that breaking ball, he really became the guy, the dominant pitcher that we rely on so much," said manager Terry Francona.
