Boston beats Tribe in chippy game

Mike Lowell hit a two-run homer on the first pitch he saw after coming off the disabled list, Josh Beckett dominated for eight innings and the Boston Red Sox beat Cleveland 3-1 Tuesday night after a bench-clearing incident.

The Red Sox won on the day they lost first baseman Kevin Youkilis. He went on the 15-day disabled list with a torn muscle in his right thumb and was going to see a hand specialist, unsure whether he would need season-ending surgery.

But the spirited Youkilis was on the field in the eighth inning when the benches emptied. A pitch by Indians reliever Jensen Lewis that sailed behind Adrian Beltre started things. Lewis, Indians third-base coach Steve Smith and Beckett were ejected.

No punches were thrown, though Smith and Red Sox manager Terry Francona got into a heated exchange.

For more details read Wednesday's Vindicator or visit Vindy.com.