Sox show firepower

Beckett struck out seven and threw 94 pitches, eight of which the Royals managed to hit out of the infield. Beckett, whose ERA dropped to 3.35, won his 11th game, joining teammate Tim Wakefield as the AL leader, and the 100th of his career. He notched the milestone with his fourth career shutout and second of the year.

“Yeah, it’s pretty memorable,’’ Beckett said. “And the way I did it is cool. It means I’ve stuck around for a little while, anyway.’’

While Beckett finished the best full half season of his career, the Sox closed baseball’s ceremonial first half not only with the AL’s best record at 54-34, but also with the AL’s best run differential at plus-84. They lead the Yankees by three games in the East.

“We’ve been a little beat up,’’ manager Terry Francona said. “Our guys have done a great job of kind of grinding this out. It’s a good time for the break. Hopefully everybody will take advantage of it. And we will come back and try to pick up right where we left off.’’

Beckett dominated the first three innings so thoroughly that the prospect of a no-hitter shifted from whimsical to realistic. He struck out four of the first five batters he faced, slinging backdoor curves and 96-mile-per-hour heat. Despite five punchouts, he used 35 pitches plowing through three frames.

David DeJesus wrapped a double around the first base bag to lead off the fourth, dashing any no-hit potential by inches. The hit stood as one of few blemishes for Beckett. On a hot day, he barely broke a sweat. After six innings, he had thrown 58 pitches and allowed just the one hit.

The Royals made him squirm for the first time in the seventh, loading the bases with one out after two singles and a hit batter. Beckett pumped an 0-1 four-seam fastball at Brayan Pena, who grounded it to second. Dustin Pedroia started a 4-6-3 double play. The Royals would not threaten again.