Baltimore @ Boston preview
Fenway Park
Last Meeting ( Jul 3, 2010 ) Baltimore 3, Boston 9
The Boston Red Sox go for the sweep when they play host to the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday at Fenway Park.
Boston has won the first two games of the three-game series against the last-place Orioles to move to a half-game behind the New York Yankees in the American League East division standings.
Baltimore sends left-hander Brian Matusz to the mound in today’s series finale.
Matusz has pitched better than his 2-9 mark. He’s given up three runs or less in six of his last nine starts but hasn’t won any of them.
In fact, Matusz hasn’t won a game since his third start of the season back on April 18.
John Lackey goes for his 10th win of the season for Boston. Jon Lester won his 10th Saturday night as Boston moved 17 games over .500 for the first time this season.
Lackey hasn’t lost since May 21 and has lowered his ERA from a season-high 5.62 to its current 4.46. He’s won five of his last seven starts.
Lackey is 9-3 lifetime against the Orioles. As impressive as that is, Lester has been downright dominant against Baltimore.
Lester has never lost to Baltimore in 15 career starts and improved to 12-0 lifetime against the Orioles with Saturday’s 9-3 win. He allowed one run on five hits while fanning seven.
Kevin Youkilis homered and drove in three runs Saturday and J.D. Drew, who homered twice Friday, had three hits and drove in two runs. Youkilis doubled to open the scoring and then put the game out of reach with his 16th homer of the season in the fifth inning.
Jeremy Guthrie took the loss. He allowed six runs on nine hits in four innings.
Red Sox newcomers Eric Patterson and Niuman Romero aided the cause on Saturday. Patterson was 1-for-4 and scored twice and Romero made his major league debut and scored a run. The two split time at second base.
Robert Manuel made his Red Sox debut out of the bullpen and allowed a two-run homer in the ninth inning by Jake Fox.
On the injury front, Clay Buchholz was tentatively scheduled to start for Boston against Tampa Bay on Monday, but Buchholz did not throw off the mound before Saturday’s game. It now appears that his next start will be pushed back at least a day.
Red Sox reliever Manny Delcarmen had an MRI exam, which showed no structural damage. He is expected to throw again next Friday.
Outfielder Jeremy Hermida took some light batting practice and is expected to begin a rehab assignment after the All-Star break.
While the Orioles continue to flounder at the bottom of the AL East, rumors have circulated surrounding Miguel Tejada.
With Josh Bell, the heir apparent to take over the reins at third base already on the parent club, Tejada could be dealt to a contender.
The Minnesota Twins and the injury-ravaged Philadelphia Phillies are said to be in the mix for the veteran infielder.