Ace of clubs

“He’s been our bulldog,’’ catcher Jason Varitek said. “When he’s healthy, he can really do harm with a baseball.’’

The Sox entered with a slogging offense, one that produced two hits and no runs Monday night. Jason Bay ended his and his team’s stagnation by going 2 for 3 with his first home run in 48 at-bats, his longest drought of the year. The Sox pounded nine hits, not an explosion, but a start for a team that had 15 hits total in its last three games.

It felt like an abundance with Beckett on the mound. The Sox have not endured a losing streak of longer than three all season, because their two All-Star starters will not allow it. Beckett and Tim Wakefield are the only teammates in baseball with 10 wins apiece.

Wakefield has been his usual reliable self. Beckett has been a revelation. Since May began, he is 8-1 with a 2.38 ERA. He has pitched at least six innings in all 12 of his starts during that span, ever cognizant of the bullpen.

“He’s been that ace-type, shutdown guy,’’ Bay said. “There aren’t too many in the league. And he’s one of them.’’

“He’s one of the best,’’ Francona said. “He’s fearless. Our guys look up to him. He’s really grown into it.’’

His opponents know that, which is why they voted Beckett to his second All-Star Game. Beckett had 7.22 ERA at the end of April. He struggled with fastball command, the lynchpin of his game. Since then, he’s been able to cut and sink his fastball, which makes any pitch he throws devastating. And he was recognized for it with the All-Star nod.

“It’s great,’’ Beckett said. “We strive for that in the first part of the year. It’s nice to be voted in by peers. Obviously, there’s only a couple ways a pitcher can make it, and that’s one of them. I really take pride in that.’’