Game 138 Recap-
The Baltimore Orioles ran into one of the hottest hitters in the game and paid, losing 14-2 to the Boston Red Sox Tuesday night at Fenway Park. Dustin Pedroia, the new cleanup hitter for Boston, had a double, homer(#16) and single with 5 rbis. He is hitting .600 over his past 7 games and is now leading the AL in batting at .330. Pedroia has been placed in the 4 hole with regulars 3b Mike Lowell and RF JD Drew on the DL and 1b-3b Kevin Youkilis beat up. “It was a quick move tonight,” Red Sox Manager Terry Francona said. “We put Petey in the four-hole and he just continues to get hits.” Baltimore has lost 10 of 11 and has major pitching issues.
The Night did not go well for Orioles starter RH Radhames Liz(5-4,7.91) as the patient and methodical Boston lineup made him work, labor and pay for mistakes. Over 3 1/3 innings, he allowed 9 hits and 9 runs with 3 walks and 2 Ks. The rookie’s poor performance continues the recent string of poor pitching overall. Over the last 5 games(all losses), Baltimore pitchers have walked 42 batters and allowed 55 runs.”You hope you get it out of your system,” Orioles manager Dave Trembley said. “You’ve hit rock bottom and you would think that sooner or later it’s going to turn for you. That’s the only approach I think you can take.”
Every Boston starter posted a hit with Dh David Ortiz, Pedroia and CF Coco Crisp having 3. RF Mark Kotsay, C Jason Varitek and SS Alex Cora added 2 apiece. Rookie 3b Jed Lowrie had a big nightm, going 1 for 2 with 3 walks, 2 rbi and 3 runs. LH Jon Lester(13-5,3.37) continued his strong season with 5 innings of 1 run work.(99 pitches,6 hits, 4 walks and 5 Ks)
Star of the Game-
Pedroia and Ortiz- 3 and 4 hitters totals- 6 for 8, 9 rbi,3 runs
Orioles Notes-
C Ramon Hernandez had 2 hits and played some 1b late in the game…Rookie Oscar Salazar started at 3b and was 0 for 2 with 2 walks…CF Adam Jones was 0 for 4 with 1 walk in his 2nd game back from his DL stint
Next Game-
Wednesday,1:35, series conclusion at Fenway vs the World Champion Red Sox
Orioles RH Jeremy Guthrie(10-11,3.57) vs RH Daisuke Matsuzaka(16-2,2.82)
