Red Sox Edge Angels 4-3

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) -- Jon Lester scattered four hits over six scoreless innings, and the Boston Red Sox overcame a shaky performance by their bullpen to beat the Los Angeles Angels 4-3 on Friday night.

The Red Sox improved to 8-5 following a season-opening six-game losing streak, making manager Terry Francona's 52nd birthday a happy one.

The Angels have lost 11 of the last 12 meetings since sweeping Boston in the 2009 AL division series.

Lester (2-1) struck out eight, walked two and departed with a 4-0 lead after throwing 111 pitches. Boston's starters have allowed no more than two earned runs in any of the last seven games, with a 1.19 ERA during that stretch.

Dan Haren (4-1) allowed four runs, two earned, in six innings.

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