No worries. After one frame apiece from Hideki Okajima, Takashi Saito, and Jonathan Papelbon, the bullpen has allowed just one run over its last 19 2/3 innings.
"The bullpen is doing an unbelievable job," said Beckett. "I certainly think that all of those guys that pitched tonight, because you leave nine outs for them to get against a tough lineup, they certainly deserve a big part of this win."
Beckett was touched for four runs in the fifth inning, but he rebounded with a strong sixth. By then his pitch count had risen to 105, due in part to four walks, so he gave way to Okajima, who struck out two in a dominant seventh.
"We haven't overused anybody and we're still able to get zeros," manager Terry Francona. "I think it shows if you don't overuse them we should have a bullpen that's pretty strong."
Youkilis, unquestionably Boston's best player so far, doubled, stroked a three-run homer, and had an RBI single in his first three at-bats. He fell one base short of the cycle when he doubled in the eighth. He is hitting .467 with 5 doubles, 3 homers, 9 RBIs, and 11 runs this season.
Youkilis said he suffered from a headache after getting hit in the helmet by a fastball from Orioles reliever Danys Baez Friday night.
"Yeah, it didn't feel good," said Youkilis. "I felt it in my jaw a little bit. My headache went away with a little bit of Advil."
Youkilis scored Boston's first run, in the second inning, on Jason Varitek's two-out double to right off Orioles starter Adam Eaton, who was facing Boston for the first time in his 10-year career.
"He's swinging as good as anyone in the league," said Francona about Youkilis. "He's using the whole field and hitting with authority."
