Boston @ Baltimore preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 21, 2011 ) Baltimore 6, Boston 4

THE STORY: On the verge of a historic collapse, the Boston Red Sox head to Baltimore to open a season-ending three-game series with the Orioles on Monday night. Needing a win in the worst way, Boston got a dramatic three-run homer from Jacoby Ellsbury in the 14th inning Sunday night to beat the New York Yankees and maintain a one-game lead over the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL wild-card race. Despite its awful record, Baltimore took three of four from the Red Sox in Boston last week. The Red Sox also will be up against it after burning their bullpen in Sunday’s marathon. That puts the onus on Josh Beckett to provide quality and quantity in Monday night’s game.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), MASN (Baltimore)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH Josh Beckett (13-6, 2.70 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Tommy Hunter (4-4, 3.86 ERA)

Beckett held a three-run lead and appeared to be cruising to his 14th win against the Orioles on Wednesday until Mark Reynolds took him deep for the second time to spark the comeback victory. The loss dropped Beckett to 7-4 in 17 career starts against Baltimore. He has surrendered five homers in three starts against the Orioles this season. J.J. Hardy is 5-for-13 with a homer against Beckett.

Hunter struggled last time out against the Red Sox, allowing four runs on nine hits in 6 2/3 innings, but Baltimore's late rally saved him from a loss. He had his best start of the year in his previous outing, blanking the Angels for seven innings. After surrendering 10 home runs in a stretch of five starts, Hunter has not allowed one in his last two outings. David Ortiz is 4-for-13 with two homers against him.

ABOUT THE RED SOX (89-70): Boston’s September swoon has quieted talk of Ellsbury for AL MVP, but the center fielder thrust himself back in the discussion with what may have been a season-saving homer. Ellsbury also hit two homers in the opener of Sunday’s doubleheader to become the first player in franchise history to register 30 homers and 30 stolen bases in a season. He is batting .369 (17-for-46) with four homers and nine RBIs during a 10-game hitting streak. The Red Sox got eight innings of one-hit ball from their bullpen. Closer Jonathan Papelbon struck out four in 2 1/3 innings and will be unavailable Monday.

ABOUT THE ORIOLES (67-92): Baltimore continues to put up runs in bunches. They have scored at least six runs in 10 of their last 12 games and roughed up Boston’s pitching for 28 runs in four games last week. Nolan Reimold homered Sunday and is riding a six-game hitting streak. He has 12 RBIs in his last 10 games. Pedro Florimon made his first major league hit count, delivering a two-run double Sunday. Vlad Guerrero needs one homer to become the 35th player with 450 career homers. Guerrero has 2,586 hits and needs one more to surpass Julio Franco for the most by a Dominican-born player.

FINAL PITCH: It has not been a September to remember for the Red Sox, who are 6-18 and have matched a franchise record for most losses this month. Boston also is trying to avoid becoming the only team in major league history to miss the postseason after holding a nine-game lead in September.