BOSTON -- The Boston Red Sox are showing the Colorado Rockies they can win big and they can win little.

The Red Sox took a 2-0 lead in the World Series by nipping the Rockies 2-1 in a tense pitchers' duel that was a sharp contrast to their 13-1 opening-game win.

Boston's 40-year-old right-hander Curt Schilling gave up a lone run in the first inning but settled down to pitch five and a third strong innings. He allowed one run on four hits to improve his career postseason record to 11-2.

Hideki Okajima was stunning in relief. He got out of a two-on, one-out jam in the sixth inning and retired all seven batters he faced, striking out four. Jonathan Papelpon got the final four outs for the save.

The Red Sox broke a 1-1 tie with a run in the fifth inning on Mike Lowell's RBI double. Jason Varitek's sacrifice fly in the fourth inning drove in Boston's first run.

Colorado starter Ubaldo Jimenez lasted four and two-thirds innings and took the loss. He gave up two runs on three hits but walked five in his four and two-thirds innings. The lone bright spot for Colorado was Matt Holliday, who went 4-4 but got picked off first base with two out in the eighth.

Friday is a travel day before the scene moves to Denver for Game 3 Saturday night.