The trip looked promising when Boston took two of three in Tampa Bay. But the Red Sox went to Chicago and lost three of four to the White Sox — after taking three of four from them during the last homestand at Fenway.
When and Where
7:10 p.m. ET (NESN), Sept. 8, 2009
Fenway Park, Boston, Mass.
Records
Red Sox (79-58, 2nd place in AL East)
Orioles (56-81, 5th place in AL East)
Head to Head
The Red Sox are 12-2 against the Orioles this season, including 6-1 at Fenway. The July 26 loss to David Hernandez is the Red Sox’ only loss to the O’s at Fenway in 12 home games since July 12, 2008. The 11-game home winning streak was the longest ever against the Orioles.
Starting Lineups
| Orioles | Red Sox |
| Brian Roberts, 2B | Jacoby Ellsbury, CF |
| Felix Pie, CF | Dustin Pedroia, 2B |
| Nolan Reimold, LF | Victor Martinez, C |
| Nick Markakis, RF | Kevin Youkilis, 1B |
| Melvin Mora, 3B | David Ortiz, DH |
| Matt Wieters, C | Jason Bay, LF |
| Luke Scott, DH | J.D. Drew, RF |
| Ty Wigginton, 1B | Casey Kotchman, 1B |
| Cesar Izturis, SS | Alex Gonzalez, SS |
Pitching Matchup
RHP Clay Buchholz (4-3, 4.40 ERA) vs. RHP David Hernandez (4-6, 4.54 ERA)
In his last start, Sept. 3 at Tampa Bay, Buchholz earned the win, allowing three runs on three hits and a walk, with three strikeouts in six innings. It was his first win of the season against a team other than the Blue Jays.
In four career starts against the O’s, Buchholz has gone 2-2 with a 6.17 ERA, allowing 16 earned runs in 23 1/3 innings. He has made four appearances and three starts against the O’s since no-hitting them Sept. 1, 2007. He has not gone more than five innings in any of those three starts, going 0-2 with a 12.71 ERA (16 earned runs, 11 1/3 innings) in those games.
Hernandez is making his 15th start and eighth road start of the season. The O’s are 3-4 in his seven previous road starts, and he is 2-3 with a 4.74 ERA (20 earned runs, 38 innings). In two starts against the Red Sox, he is 1-1 with a 2.38 ERA (three earned runs, 11 1/3 innings). In his only start at Fenway, Hernandez went seven innings, allowing one run on five hits with two strikeouts. Hernandez has the O’s only win at Fenway in 12 games since July 12, 2008.
In his last two road starts, Hernandez has allowed eight earned runs on 10 hits and five walks over seven innings, with a hit batter, two home runs, and five strikeouts.
Stat Sheet
Red Sox
The Red Sox are 45-21 at home, the second-best home record in the AL to the Yankees’ 46-20.
On their last homestand, the Red Sox went 7-3, batting .305 (106-for-347), with 10 or more hits in seven of the 10 games on the homestand.
The Red Sox have 10 or more hits in six of their last 10 games, and 13 of 20 since Aug. 18. They have scored 124 runs in that stretch.
The Red Sox are hitting .256 (11-for-43) against Hernandez with two home runs, five walks, and six strikeouts.
Jason Bay is two RBIs shy of his second straight 100-RBI season, which will be the fourth of his career. He would join Ted Williams (six times), Manny Ramirez (five), Jim Rice (three), and Carl Yastrzemski (two) as the only Red Sox left fielders with at least 30 home runs and 100 RBIs in one season.
Victor Martinez has a 10-game hitting streak, going 13-for-37 (.351) in that stretch. He is five games shy of his longest hitting streak, which he did earlier this season from April 21-May 6.
Takashi Saito’s next appearance will give the Red Sox five pitchers with at least 50 appearances this season — joining Manny Delcarmen, Jonathan Papelbon, Hideki Okajima and Ramon Ramirez. It would be the second time in team history that five pitchers have made at least 50 appearances in a season. In 1991, Tony Fossas, Jeff Gray, Greg Harris, Dennis Lamp and Jeff Reardon did so.
Orioles
The Orioles are 22-44 on the road, the fewest road wins in the AL.
The Orioles are 18-26 in first games of a series.
Since the All-Star break, the O’s are 16-33 and have scored two or fewer runs in 14 of the 33 losses.
Brian Roberts is one double shy of 50 for the season. With his next double, he will become the fourth major leaguer in history with three or more 50-double seasons – joining Hall of Famers Tris Speaker (five times), Paul Waner (three) and Stan Musial (three).
The O’s bullpen has not allowed a run over seven innings in the last three games. But in the previous seven, the O’s 'pen gave up 26 earned runs in 28 2/3 innings, an ERA of 8.16.
The Orioles are hitting .375 (15-for-40) against Buchholz with two home runs, 13 RBIs, 12 walks and eight strikeouts.
Black and Blue
Red Sox
Right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka was placed on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to June 20 with a mild right shoulder strain. He is expected to make one more rehab start before rejoining the team.
Jed Lowrie has been on the DL since Aug. 7 with ulnar neuritis of the left wrist.
Orioles
Right-hander Koji Uehara (elbow) could be activated Tuesday.
Left fielder Lou Montanez is on the DL with torn ligaments in his right thumb.
This Date in Red Sox History
The Red Sox induct Carlton Fisk, Jimmie Foxx, Harry Hooper, Dick O'Connell, Mel Parnell, Rico Petrocelli, Dick Radatz, Luis Tiant, and Cy Young into the Red Sox Hall of Fame on Sept. 8, 1997.
Overheard
"That one big inning killed me. Four hits and the walk that inning. Whenever you're going against somebody like [Mark Buehrle], you can't have that big inning."
–Josh Beckett on Sunday’s outing
Press Box
Red Sox
Beckett was better, but that didn’t help the Red Sox on Sunday.
The Red Sox need vintage Ortiz and Beckett.
The Red Sox are looking forward to getting home.
Orioles
The O’s helped the Red Sox in the wild-card race.
Brian Roberts is staying on an even keel.
Felix Pie is fulfilling his potential.
MLB
Carlos Pena is out for the rest of the season.
Josh Hamilton will be out until at least the weekend.
The Pirates will have a record-setting 17th straight losing season.
Outlook
The Red Sox have dominated the O’s this season. Starting the eight-game homestand against the cellar dwellers of the AL East may be just what the Red Sox need to shake off their disappointing road trip. Facing the team he no-hit two years ago may give Buchholz a confidence boost, allowing him to record a win against a third AL team.
