Lackey, Crawford power Red Sox to sweep

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- John Lackey kept the line moving -- a variation on one of Boston manager Terry Francona's favorite expressions regarding his lineup. This time, though, it has to do with the Red Sox's starting rotation.

Lackey beat his former team with eight superb innings and Carl Crawford hit his first home run yesterday as Boston completed a pitching-dominated four-game sweep of the Angels with a 7-0 victory that extended its winning streak to five.

The Red Sox extended their streak to nine straight games in which their starter has gone at least five innings and allowed fewer than three runs. The rotation, which has a 0.88 ERA during this stretch, tied the longest such streak in franchise history, set in 1946.

"Sure, there's definitely a sense of not wanting to be the guy to stop the streak," said Lackey, who scattered six hits and struck out six.

Crawford said of his first homer: "It just felt good to hit the ball hard and have it leave the yard. I was just glad I got the first one out of the way and was able to do something good to help the team." -- AP