Final, Orioles 2-1: This was just one of those unlucky breaks for the Red Sox.
Josh Beckett was terrific, allowing just five hits and two runs through eight innings. But Chen was better, yielding one run through seven.
Beckett just didn't get the necessary run support. It's not the first time that this has occurred.
The hurler has received three or less runs of support in seven of his 11 starts this season.
Mid 9th, Orioles 2-1: Vicente Padilla did exactly what he was needed to do, and that was prevent any more damage in the ninth.
It all comes down to the Red Sox' offense now. Jarrod Saltalamacchia has proven clutch in these situations, so it may be on him to lift the Sox back to life.
End 8th, Orioles 2-1: The Red Sox wasted another chance in the eighth with Kevin Youkilis and David Ortiz on base with one out.
But Will Middlebrooks hit a fly ball out and Podsednik — hitting for Gonzalez — grounded out. That could've been a good spot for Gonzalez to strike.
Now, Vicente Padilla is coming in to pitch for Beckett.
Mid 8th, Orioles 2-1: Josh Beckett appeared to be limping after Wilson Betemit's pop up.
After speaking with the trainers, he was deemed OK. While he recorded two more outs, I wouldn't be surprised if Beckett was yanked as a precaution.
Andrew Miller is warming up in the bullpen and could enter in.
End 7th, Orioles 2-1: Adrian Gonzalez managed to pounce on Chen and collect a single. Soon thereafter, he was pulled for Scott Podsednik — his pinch runner and defensive replacement.
You have to wonder how Gonzalez felt about the move because he wasn't too happy when Valentine yanked him prematurely last time around. He wants those big at-bats.
We'll see what he has to say after the game.
Mid 7th, Orioles 2-1: That's 83 pitches for Josh Beckett through seven innings. I expect him to go the distance.
With his performance, Beckett has lowered his ERA to 4.06. He's also recorded his fair share of punch outs, racking up five strikeouts.
End 6th, Orioles 2-1: Chen is really relying on the four-seamer and changeup in this one.
Despite allowing a single to Kevin Youkilis, the Orioles starter handled the meat of Boston's order without any problems.
It's a straight up pitching duel, people.
Mid 6th, Orioles 2-1: Josh Beckett's sizzling start came to a halt in the sixth, when he yielded three singles to start the inning.
Robert Andino and Endy Chavez collected RBIs in the inning and finally capitalized on Beckett's pitches.
These are just the unpredictable turns and slugfests that people should expect in AL East play.
End 5th, Red Sox 1-0: Chen just needed 10 pitches to escape the fifth inning.
This game is really flying by right now and it's a testament to the efficiency and precision of both pitchers.
The way that Beckett is pitching, if he keeps it up, he may be able to go the distance.
Mid 5th, Red Sox 1-0: That's 49 pitches and 38 strikes for Josh Beckett. Can someone say accurate?
That's 78 percent of his pitches that have nailed the strike zone. His pitches have induced groundball after groundball.
Through five innings, Beckett has only surrendered one hit. He's really in the zone right now.
End 4th, Red Sox 1-0: It's quite the surprise that Chen has managed to shut down the Red Sox lineup so far.
He struggled in five innings of work on May 4 against the Sox, when he allowed four runs — three earned — and walked three batters.
Chen also wasn't that solid in his last start, yielding five runs.
Mid 4th, Red Sox 1-0: During this start, Josh Beckett has thrown with pinpoint accuracy.
Despite allowing a single to Endy Chavez, Beckett bailed himself out by inducing a double play and got Adam Jones out on a grounder.
Jones, however, is enjoying his new, lucrative contract extension that should help the foundation of the Orioles for years to come.
End 3rd, Red Sox 1-0: That was a nice return to the lineup for Darnell McDonald, who missed a home run over the Green Monster by inches.
He got a boost when Marlon Byrd moved him over with a single and Mike Aviles unloaded a sac fly to eventually score the run.
Mid 3rd, 0-0: Beckett is still heating up, racking up two strikeouts in that inning.
He's been leaning heavily on his fastball and curveballs in this one so far and it's been working. His rhythm with Saltalamacchia looks good, too.
Valentine said he believes the pitchers are really taking well to Saltalamacchia as of late.
End 2nd, 0-0: Jarrod Saltalamacchia grounded out to third base in his first at-bat of the game.
But going back to Tuesday, he was clutch once again, hitting a game-tying homer in the ninth. Red Sox skipper Bobby Valentine said he feels that Saltalamacchia is getting comfortable in the clutch.
That should bode well for the Red Sox, who are leaning on Saltalamacchia and David Ortiz for their offense.
Mid 2nd, 0-0: Will Middlebrooks showed some of his glove work right there, snagging a liner off Mark Reynolds' bat.
Aside from that, Beckett has continued to look good, striking out Chris Davis and getting Matt Wieters to pop out.
It's a better start for Beckett against the O's than last time around.
End 1st, 0-0: Some of you may be wondering why Adrian Gonzalez is hitting in the No. 6 hole.
Well, Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine wanted more of a balance against a left-handed pitcher in Chen. But Gonzalez' offensive struggles are also a factor.
"Adrian’s a really good hitter," Valentine said. "He just hasn’t found that rhythm yet at the plate. He will. He’ll have his numbers. He might be, I’m not sure if he’s going outside the strike zone or if he’s too anixious and not waiting for his pitch. I’m sure he’ll have a walk and a home run in one of these games and I think that will set him off."
Mid 1st, 0-0: That was a seven-pitch inning for Josh Beckett, who wasted no time in retiring the Orioles.
It was a quick start for the Red Sox, especially after Jon Lester struggled early on against the Orioles on Tuesday. Let's see if it's a result of Beckett's chemistry with catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia.
6:30 p.m.: Here are the lineups.
Red Sox
Mike Aviles, SS
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Kevin Youkilis, 1B
David Ortiz, DH
Will Middlebrooks, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, RF
Jarrod Saltalalamacchia, C
Darnell McDonald, LF
Marlon Byrd, CF
Josh Beckett, P
Orioles
Endy Chavez, RF
J.J. Hardy, SS
Adam Jones, CF
Matt Wieters, C
Chris Davis, DH
Mark Reynolds, 1B
Wilson Betemit, 3B
Ryan Flaherty, LF
Robert Andino, 2B
Wei-Yen Chen, P
8 a.m.: The Red Sox have long dominated the Baltimore Orioles. In 2012, however, they've been anything but dominant against the pesky O's.
Following Tuesday night's extra-inning loss, the Sox are now just 2-5 this season against Baltimore, with a puzzling 0-4 mark at Fenway Park.
Boston will turn to Josh Beckett in an attempt to get their first home win against the Birds this season.
The right-hander has yet to face the Orioles this season, and he's looking to bounce back after a rough outing his last time out. Beckett went just four innings, giving up four runs on 10 hits in a loss to the Tigers on May 31.
He'll be opposed by Wei-Yin Chen, who pitched five innings against the Sox on May 4. Chen took a no-decision after giving up three runs on four hits, but the O's did win the game 6-4 at Fenway.
First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m. with coverage on NESN beginning at 6 p.m.