Josh Beckett Seeks to Snap Red Sox Skid Against Kevin Millwood

With the way the Red Sox have dominated the Baltimore Orioles in the past, and with the way Boston entered its weekend set in Camden Yards, the last thing on the minds of many in New England was an Orioles' sweep.

Yet that is something the O's can accomplish Sunday when they wrap up a three-game series with the Sox, who have lost three straight to Baltimore for the first time since 2005.

The last time the Orioles won four straight was in 2004. Baltimore is 3-2 against Boston, and 3-16 against all other teams.

Daisuke Matsuzaka's 2010 debut went well Saturday until the fifth inning, when the Orioles began to unload on him. He finished after giving up seven runs — six earned — in 4 2/3 innings.

Josh Beckett gets the nod for the Sox on Sunday, hoping to turnaround a recent stretch which has seen him give up 15 runs in 10 innings over two starts.

WHEN AND WHERE

Red Sox (11-13) vs. Orioles (6-18)
Sunday, May 2, 1:35 p.m. (NESN)
Camden Yards, Baltimore

HEAD TO HEAD

Despite losing the last two in Baltimore, Boston is 88-51 all-time at Camden Yards.

PITCHING MATCHUP

RHP Josh Beckett (1-0, 7.22 ERA) vs. RHP Kevin Millwood (0-3, 3.38 ERA)

Beckett gave up 23 earned runs in 28 2/3 innings last April. He gave up 23 earned runs in 28 2/3 innings this April. Yet it was his first start last May that began a dominant stretch in which he went 15-4 with a 3.35 ERA to end the season.

The right-hander will be looking for a similar turnaround this May after back-to-back ugly outings. On Monday in Toronto he surrendered eight runs on nine hits and three walks in just three innings.

Beckett is 6-2 lifetime against the Orioles, and is even better in Camden, where he is 5-1 with a 3.04 ERA.

Acquired this offseason to be the leader of the Baltimore staff, Kevin Millwood has not disappointed, yet still seeks his first win. He allowed two runs in 5 1/3 innings in the Orioles' 5-4 victory over New York on Tuesday.

The 35-year-old Millwood is 6-4 in his career against Boston. In three starts last year he allowed just three earned runs in 18 2/3 innings vs. the Sox.

LINEUPS

STAT SHEET

Red Sox

• Tim Wakefield had made 162 starts in between relief appearances, second in team history behind Luis Tiant, who had 189 straight starts between relief outings.
• Jonathan Van Every's home run Saturday night was the second of his career. His first came in extra innings last April in Cleveland, the eventual game-winning shot.
• Daisuke Matsuzaka has allowed six or more runs in an inning three times after doing so in the fifth Saturday night.

Orioles

• Nick Markakis is 22-for-63 (.349) during his current hot stretch. He matched a career high with five RBIs on Saturday.
• The Orioles left one man on base Saturday, the fewest they have left on all season.
• Baltimore has secured its first series win of the year.

BLACK AND BLUE

Red Sox

• Left fielder Jacoby Ellsbury is still just hitting off a tee and has yet to take live batting practice. He said Friday that he was able to swing, run and throw and that it was his best day yet as he recovers from hairline fractures in four ribs. Ellsbury has been eligible to return from the DL since early in the week.
• Center fielder Mike Cameron, out with a sports hernia, was seen taking cuts in the batting cage before Saturday's game. He is eligible to return from the disabled list in early May.
• Jeremy Hermida was given Saturday night off with a tight left quad.

Orioles

• Right hander Koji Uehara may come off the 15-day disabled list at some point during the series. He has been out with a hamstring strain.
• Second baseman Brian Roberts, already out with a back injury, has been battling flu-like symptoms and stomach pain. He is not close to returning.
• Closer Mike Gonzalez hopes to return in May from a strained left shoulder.

OUTLOOK

It was a quiet Red Sox clubhouse Saturday night, not normally what you see when this team heads into Camden Yards and usually comes out on top. Another rough outing by Beckett and/or another loss and you might not hear a peep.

Beckett has the track record to turn this thing around and although the Orioles are swinging the bat a bit better the past week, they present a good opportunity for him to right the ship.

Boston begins a 10-game homestand Monday that features both the Yankees and Angels. Coming home on a good note will do the club wonders. Returning to Fenway after being swept by Baltimore could make for a trying week on Yawkey Way.