PHILADELPHIA -- What was supposed to be a terrific pitching matchup in this series opener was, instead, a mismatch.
Cliff Lee tossed a complete-game two-hit shutout while Josh Beckett was tagged for two two-run homers over six innings, sending the Red Sox to a 5-0 defeat to the Philadelphia Phillies, Boston's fifth loss in its last six games -- all against National League opponents.
The masterpiece was Lee's third straight complete-game shutout and extended his consecutive scoreless streak to 32 innings.
Domonic Brown gave Lee all the support he needed with a two-run belt to center in the second. After Lee helped himself with a fifth-inning sacrifice, the Phils used the long ball against Beckett again in the sixth when Shane Victorino homered to right with Placido Polanco aboard.
Beckett, making his first start since June 15, was tagged with his first loss in almost exactly a month, dating back to May 29.
The Sox had just one baserunner -- a walk to Kevin Youkilis to open the second -- through the first four innings. They didn't record a hit until Marco Scutaro led off the sixth with a line single to left.