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An irked Beckett: ‘I tell you I’m fine’

01:00 AM EDT on Monday, October 13, 2008

BY DANIEL BARBARISI

Journal Sports Writer

Beckett

BOSTON — After getting shelled for the second straight outing, Josh Beckett gets it.

He knows that everyone is wondering about his health. He came into this postseason with a lifetime playoff ERA under 2.00, but has given up 14 runs in just over nine innings in the last two weeks.

But no matter how many times he denies that he’s ailing, the questions keep coming.

And he’s getting fed up with it.

“I can understand [why he keeps getting asked about his health], but if I tell you I’m fine, that’s what you’ve got to go on,” Beckett said yesterday before the Red Sox’ optional workout at Fenway Park.

“Unless you guys are getting information somewhere else, I don’t know what to tell you guys. You just keep asking the same questions about my health. I tell you I’m fine. Just go on, write that. I’m fine.”

Beckett strained an oblique muscle during a bullpen session near the end of the regular season. Manager Terry Francona said the aftereffects of that injury may be keeping Beckett from using his full repertoire.

“I think he’s still fighting some inconsistencies on what pitches he feels he can throw maybe in a key spot and not get hurt. You could see him thinking through it and kind of grinding through it a little bit,” Francona said.

Beckett is aware of his struggles.

“I pitched like [garbage]. I gave up eight runs,” he said before going back to his locker.

dbarbari@projo.com

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