The Red Sox made the short trip down I-95 to Baltimore to take on the first place Orioles in a 4 game weekend series. Baltimore wasted no time jumping on Boston starter Wes Gardner with 2 runs in the first inning, eventually knocking him out of the game in the 4th after allowing 6 runs. Outfielder Mike Devereaux provided the knockout blow with a two run homer to end Gardner's day. Making just his second career start, Ben McDonald shut down the Red Sox over 5 innings en route to a 7-2 victory.
The Red Sox defeated the Baltimore Orioles 2-0 behind Mike Boddicker this afternoon at Memorial Stadium. Boddicker pitched 7 shutout innings, allowing just 4 hits. He did walk a tightrope at times due to 5 walks and 3 errors, but was able to work out of trouble each time. After not homering in his first 38 games, Tim Naehring hit a solo home run for his third in his last six games. Mike Greenwell went 4-for-4 for Boston. Curt Schilling got the start for the Orioles and pitched 5 strong innings, allowing 1 run on 5 hits. Boston catcher Rich Gedman was called out on strikes in the 5th inning, and was ejected by the home plate umpire for arguing balls and strikes. He's not expected to face any additional discipline.
The AL East leading Orioles took game 3 of this 4 game series against the Boston Red Sox, 10-3. Baltimore scored 8 runs and batted around in the first inning against Red Sox starter Bob Tewksbury. He lasted just 2+ innings, and after coming out for the third inning, Tewksbury was removed following a 34 minute rain delay. Boston got a strong bullpen performance from Jeff Gray and Greg Harris for 5 combined shutout innings, but they were unable to do anything against Orioles' starter John Mitchell who pitched 7.1 shutout innings. Mike Devereaux hit his second home run of the series for Baltimore. The Red Sox will look to earn a split of this 4 game series on Monday.