Orioles Smother Smoltz, Rip Red Sox in Series Finale

The last time out against the Orioles, John Smoltz's start was cut short due to bad weather. But on Sunday the righty was just plain bad, losing for the fourth time in six starts since joining the Red Sox. The Orioles took down the Red Sox 6-2 to salvage the third game of the series.

Orioles 6, Red Sox 2
Fenway Park, Boston, Mass.
July 26, 2009

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Headliner: Even with several starts to his name that should have resulted in wins had he not been pitching for the Orioles, Danny Hernandez took just a 2-2 record into Fenway Park on Sunday. But Hernandez put together his third quality start in a row to get back into the win column for the O's, shutting down the Red Sox for seven innings in the series finale. Hernandez allowed one earned run on five hits to keep the Red Sox bats quiet once again, striking out two and walking one. The right-hander threw 110 pitches in the game without allowing an extra-base hit.

Dirt Dog: Nick Markakis led the Orioles offense, going 2-for-4 with with a home run, double, three RBIs and two runs scored. Markakis picked up his 12th long ball of the season and increased his RBI total to 66 in helping to stop the Orioles' five-game losing streak. Markakis has now hit in six straight games, going 10-for-25 (.400) with three home runs and six RBIs.

Better luck next time: Smoltz was on the losing end of a game once again, as he was unable to solve the Orioles in the third game of the series. Smoltz allowed six runs on nine hits over five innings to fall to 1-4 since joining the Red Sox. He struck out six and only walked one, but the five extra-base hits he gave up came back to hurt him in the end. In each of Smoltz's losing efforts, there has been one inning that got away from him. The third inning happened to be that inning on Sunday.

Key moment: The Red Sox trailed 1-0 in the third, as Smoltz tried to keep the game close for the struggling offense. However, the veteran righty let the Orioles extend their lead in the third with four hits, including two doubles, to score three more runs. The Orioles opened the game up with a 4-0 lead and tacked on runs in the fourth and fifth innings for insurance.

On deck: The Red Sox continue their homestand with a four-game series against the A's starting Monday at Fenway Park. The A's are coming from a four-game set in the Bronx against the Yankees where they fell to the Bombers three times. In the first game of the series, it will be Josh Beckett (11-4, 3.42) against Trevor Cahill (6-8. 4.50).