Johnson, Yankees Routed by Red Sox

Josh Beckett was cool and efficient. Randy Johnson was all over the place.

Beckett walked off the mound at Yankee Stadium a winner once again, thanks to another poor start by the Big Unit and New York’s bumbling defense.

After giving up Jason Giambi’s two-run, first-inning homer, Beckett gave up little else Tuesday night in a 14-3 laugher by the Boston Red Sox over the Yankees.

“Sometimes you just need a day where you can go out there and just let it fly,” Beckett said. “Today was one of those days for me, where I felt strong, and you can just go out and throw every pitch as hard as you can.”

In a game that matched up the last two pitchers to finish off the Yankees in the World Series, Beckett (4-1) didn’t quite duplicate his effort for the Florida Marlins in 2003’s Game 6, when he pitched a five-hit shutout on three days’ rest. He got into trouble in the first when a 3-and-1 pitch that Giambi thought was ball four was called a strike, and Giambi then pulled the next pitch into the right-field seats.

But Beckett retired the next 12 batters. He gave up three runs and six hits in seven innings, striking out seven and walking none.

Johnson (5-3), who came out of Arizona’s bullpen to beat the Yankees in 2001’s Game 7, was booed loudly and often by the sellout crowd of 54,688. Johnson lasted only 3 2/3 innings -- throwing 92 pitches -- and gave up five hits and seven runs, throwing two wild pitches.

Alex Gonzalez and Manny Ramirez homered for the Red Sox.

The Yankees’ Alex Rodriguez made two errors at third and 21-year-old Melky Cabrera dropped a fly to right by Ramirez for a two-run error.

Minnesota 15, Texas 5 -- Justin Morneau hit two home runs and had a career-high six runs batted in as the Twins knocked out Ranger ace Kevin Millwood in the second inning at Arlington, Texas.

Millwood (3-3) was roughed up for nine runs and nine hits in 1 1/3 innings.

Seattle 8, Tampa Bay 1 -- Felix Hernandez returned to his 2005 form by giving up one run and striking out eight in 7 2/3 innings in the Mariners’ win at Seattle.

Oakland 6, Toronto 5 -- Bobby Crosby and Adam Melhuse homered and the visiting A’s dropped Toronto starter Josh Towers’ record to 0-7.

Baltimore 7, Detroit 6 -- Melvin Mora hit one of the Orioles’ four home runs before driving in the tiebreaking run with an eighth-inning single to help host Baltimore stop a five-game losing streak.

Kansas City 10, Cleveland 7 -- John Buck drove in four runs with a single and a three-run homer and the Royals won their fourth in a row over the Indians at Kansas City, Mo.