Orioles Rally Off Papelbon To Beat Sox Late (88-67)

Last night was a tough game, as the Sox surrendered a late lead and lost to the Orioles. After a ground-rule double by Dustin Pedroia in the 1st, Adrian Gonzalez hit a double high off the monster to make it 1-0. In the 3rd, the Orioles tied the game as Robert Andino scored on a double by Nick Markakis. Then, Vladimir Guerrero came and hit a hard line drive to Josh Reddick, and he dropped the ball to score a run and keep the inning alive. Later in the inning, Mark Reynolds singled to left to make it 4-1 Orioles. After a leadoff double in the 3rd by Dustin Pedroia, Adrian Gonzalez homered over the green monster to make it 4-3. In the 4th, the Red Sox tied the game as Marco Scutaro came home on a single by MIke Aviles. Then, later in the inning, the Orioles nearly turned a double play to get them out of the inning, but Mark Reynolds dropped the ball and a run scored to make it 5-4 Red Sox. It stayed that way until the 8th, when Robert Andino lifted a double to right-center to make it 7-5, and the Sox couldn't come back.

      Erik Bedard was not good, but for some of it, it was Josh Reddick's fault, he went 2 2/3 innings, and allowed 4 runs, 1 earned. Scott Atchison relieved him with 2 1/3 scoreless innings. Then, Matt Albers threw a scoreless inning. However, it was the steady relievers who blew the lead as Jonathan Papelbon allowed the 3-run double with 2 inherited runners from Bard. Felix Doubront and Junichi Tazawa each threw 2/3 scoreless innings. Dustin Pedroia had a good game, going 2-5 and scoring 2 runs. Adrian Gonzalez (left) had a great game, going 3-5 with 3 RBIs, including a 2-run homer, as he came just a triple shy of the cycle, and is now .340/27/116. Mike Aviles had a good game, going 2-3 with a run and an RBI. Tonight, the Sox will go for a series tie as Josh Beckett (13-5/2.50/162) will go against Tommy Hunter (4-4/4.81/39).

Bright Spots:
Scott Atchison- 2 1/3 shutout innings
Matt Albers- 1 shutout inning
Dustin Pedroia- 2-5 with 2 runs scored
Adrian Gonzalez- 3-5 with a 2-run homer and 3 RBIs
MIke Aviles- 2-3 with a run and an RBI

Dull Spots:
Erik Bedard- 4 runs in 2 2/3 innings
Daniel Bard/Jonathan Papelbon- 3 runs in the 8th
David Ortiz- 0-3 with 2 strikeouts and 3 LOB
Josh Reddick- 0-3 with 3 strikeouts and 2 LOB

This was not a bad game, except for Jonathan Papelbon and Daniel Bard.