BOSTON (AP) – Kelvim Escobar pitched six solid innings to win for only the second time in 12 starts, and Garret Anderson went 3-for-4 with two hits in the Angels’ six-run seventh to help Los Angeles beat the Boston Red Sox 8-3 on Friday night.

In his second start since going on the disabled list with right elbow inflammation, Escobar (7-9) allowed two runs on six hits and two walks, striking out eight in six innings. Howie Kendrick was 3-for-5 with three RBIs to help the Angels, who sent 11 batters to the plate in the seventh, improve to 18-5 in July.

Jon Lester (5-1) took his first career loss, giving up five runs and 10 hits while striking out two in 6 1-3 innings. The rookie left-hander brought a 2-1 lead into the seventh, but gave up singles to Anderson and Tim Salmon to start the inning.

Mike Napoli hit a bouncer to third for a force out at second, but pinch-runner Curtis Pride went hard into second and Mark Loretta couldn’t turn the double play. Robb Quinlan hit a short bouncer to third, forcing Mike Lowell to make an off-balance throw to first that pulled Kevin Youkilis off the bag for an RBI single.

Maicer Izturis doubled to score another run and chase Lester. Kendrick singled off Manny Delcarmen to score two more. After a groundout, Vladimir Guerrero was intentionally walked and Juan Rivera singled in Kendrick to make it 6-2.

Anderson singled off Javier Lopez, just called up from Triple-A, before pinch-hitter Chone Figgins grounded into a fielder’s choice to end the inning. The Angels added another in the eighth when Napoli singled and scored on Kendrick’s single.

Rivera doubled and scored on Salmon’s single to give Los Angeles a 1-0 lead in the second. The Angels put a runner in scoring position with nobody out in the fifth and sixth, but Lester pitched out of it each time.

Notes: The Angels have lost 11 of their last 14 at Fenway Park. … The game was delayed 2 hours, 2 minutes by rain. … Anderson has hit in 19 consecutive games against the Red Sox. … Boston LHP David Wells will return to the rotation on Monday against the Cleveland Indians. Wells has not pitched since sustaining a bruise below his right knee when he was hit by a line drive on May 26 against Tampa Bay. … Former Red Sox closer Keith Foulke pitched a perfect inning on a rehab outing for Class-A Lowell on Friday night, striking out one and throwing 10 of his 12 pitches for strikes.

AP-ES-07-29-06 0022EDT