Beckett ties Clemens by improving to 6-0

Josh Beckett caught Roger Clemens and is closing in on Babe Ruth.

In Boston’s 6-4 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday, Beckett retired the first 12 batters on the way to becoming the first Red Sox pitcher to win his first six starts since Roger Clemens in 1991 and is only two behind the team record shared by Ruth and two others.

“It’s still a quality outing, but he wasn’t at his best,” Boston catcher Jason Varitek said.

In seven innings, Beckett (6-0) allowed three runs and six hits with seven strikeouts and two walks. It was only the second time this season he had allowed more than two runs.

The Red Sox went ahead, 4-3, with two runs in the sixth. Varitek singled and Jay Marshall (1-1) replaced starter Chad Gaudin. Varitek took third on Coco Crisp’s double and scored on Alex Cora’s groundout. Julio Lugo then gave Boston the lead with a sacrifice fly.

Boston finished the scoring on RBI singles in the seventh by Cora and the eighth by J.D. Drew.