Boston, MA - Kevin Millar drove in a pair of runs as Baltimore topped Boston, 5-3, in the opener of a three-game set at Fenway Park.
Eric Bedard (11-4) allowed just two runs and two hits over six innings, winning his seventh straight decision. Jamie Walker retired the final two batters of the game to earn his fourth save.
Brian Roberts went 2-for-5 with a homer and two RBI and Ramon Hernandez knocked in one for the Orioles, winners in eight of their last 10 games.
Boston hurler Josh Beckett (13-5) was charged with nine hits and five runs with six strikeouts and two walks in eight full innings, losing consecutive starts for the first time all season.
David Ortiz drove in all three runs on a pair of home runs for the Red Sox, who have dropped two straight following a three-game win streak.
Prior to the game, the Sox pulled off a major deal to bolster their bullpen, acquiring Eric Gagne from Texas for starter Kason Gabbard and a pair of minor- league outfielders. In addition, an earlier minor trade sent pitcher Joel Piniero to St. Louis for cash and a player to be named later.
Down by two runs in the ninth against the sidewinding Chad Bradford, Boston put two men on with one out as a Coco Crisp single and walk to Eric Hinske followed Jason Varitek’s fly out. Walker then entered the game and Julio Lugo kept the inning alive by beating out a potential game-ending double-play ball to third, but Dustin Pedroia was retired on a nubber back to the mound to end the rally.
Roberts led off the game with a homer on Beckett’s first pitch, which bounced off the top of the wall near the Pesky Pole in right and settled into the stands.
It was 4-0 for Baltimore in the third on an RBI double by Roberts and a two- run single by Millar, a killer blow by one of the beloved members of Boston’s 2004 World Series winning squad.
Boston finally struck in the home half, as Pedroia worked a two-out walk and Ortiz smacked a two-run homer to right.
The Sox loaded the bases with one out in the fourth, but could not push across a run as Bedard fanned Wily Mo Pena swinging and Lugo looking to end the inning.
Baltimore took a 5-2 lead in the sixth on a Hernandez double which eluded Manny Ramirez at the warning track in left, but Ortiz drew the Sox within 5-3 on an eighth-inning lead-off home run.
Game Notes
Boston fell to 23-12 against the AL East…Boston’s overall ERA coming into the game was 2.62, lowest in the major leagues…Sox reliever Brendan Donnelly, who had been on the disabled list with right arm troubles, will have Tommy John surgery in a week to 10 days, performed by Dr. Lewis Yocum…The Orioles announced prior to the game that interim manager Dave Trembley will manage the club for the remainder of the season…Baltimore won for just the fifth time in 29 meetings with Boston since the start of the 2006 season.
