| 20 April 2009
After a rocky start the Red Sox found their groove this weekend thanks to major comeback on Friday, a stellar performance from the bullpen on Saturday and masterful performance by Jon Lester on Sunday.
Friday - Red Sox 10, Orioles 8
Brad Penny struggled in his second start allowing seven runs in the second inning. But the Red Sox countered with four runs of their own in the bottom of the inning. Penny only lasted three innings, giving up eight total runs on six hits and five walks, but the Red Sox with two full days of rest the bullpen was able to pick him up. Delcarmen (2.2 IP, 2 K) and Ramirez (1.2, W) were particularly impressive and Papelbon needed just 13 pitches for the save.
The Red Sox offense finally woke up and tagged Jeremy Guthrie eight runs (five earned). There were lots of heroes in this one - Ellsbury and Pedroia went 5 for 9 at the top of the order ... Drew was 2 for 2 with a homer, three runs and three walks ... Bay was 1 for 3 with a homer and 3 RBI ... and Green was 2 for 4 with a 2-run double that tied the game at 8-8 in the fifth.
Saturday - Red Sox 6, Orioles 4
Kevin Youkilis but the team on his shoulders Saturday going 4 for 5 with two doubles, a ding dong and four RBI. His 3-run homer in the fourth put the Sox up 6-0 and all but solidified the victory.
But Josh Beckett had a roller coaster start allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits and four walks - with all the damage coming in the 5th. He closed out the inning and the bullpen locked the O's down for three more innings.
Ortiz and Lowell each had two hits in the game, but Ortiz continues to search fro more extra base hits...
Sunday - Red Sox 2, Orioles 1
After combining to score 28 runs in two games the Red Sox and Orioles found themselves in a pitchers duel on Sunday... with Jon Lester emerging as the victor. Jon Lester and Koji Uehara went toe to toe for seven strong innings yesterday. Lester fanned nine and did not allow a run while clinging to a 1-0 lead after the second inning. The Sox grabbed another run in the 5th on an RBI single from Pedroia, but Uehara kept the O's in the game.
Ram Ram looked impressive again throwing a clean 8th, but Saito was called in to close out the game and almost blew it. Saito gave up back to back hits and an infield grounder that scored Markakis to put the Orioles within one... but he struck out Zaun to end the threat and earned the save.
Overall, the offense was quiet, but Ellsbury's two hit performance in the lead off spot was a bright spot. Jacoby is now riding a 5-game hitting streak and is 5 for 14 (.357) in the series.
The Red Sox and Orioles will close out this series with the annual Boston Marathon day game. Justin Masterson will be starting for the injured Daisuke Matsuzaka.
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