With starting pitcher Josh Beckett's 28th start of the season on Sunday, a $12 million team option for the 2010 season became guaranteed. The option vested at either 28 starts in 2009 or 56 combined over the 2008-09 seasons. Beckett (14-6) logged seven innings on Sunday, allowing three runs on six hits. The only way the option does not kick in is if Beckett finishes the season on the 15-day disabled list.
 
The 29-year-old signed a three-year, $30 million extension with the $12 million option during the 2006 season, his first in Boston. Beckett is now 46-23 with a 3.71 ERA in his first three years of the deal.

Josh Beckett did not allow a homer, but nonetheless suffered the defeat as the Red Sox offense was silenced by White Sox starter Mark Buehrle in a 6-1 loss in Chicago. The loss was Boston's third in four weekend contests.
 
Beckett (14-6) allowed three runs on six hits in seven innings, striking out four and walking two. The White Sox did all of their damage against the Red Sox starter in the third, when Beckett suffered a brief lapse of command that included a hit batter, wild pitch and a walk. That was enough for Buehrle, who allowed just one run on eight hits in his seven innings of work.
 
The loss trimmed the Red Sox' lead in the wild-card race to 2.5 games, with the Rangers scheduled to play later on Monday.