American League Preview from The Sports Network
Monday, May 31st (All times eastern)
Baltimore Orioles (23-23) at Boston Red Sox (31-19), 1:20 p.m.
Probable Starting Pitchers: Baltimore - Rodrigo Lopez (3-2, 2.92) Boston - Derek Lowe (4-4, 6.22)
(Sports Network) - The Baltimore Orioles aim for their fourth straight victory when they visit the Boston Red Sox for a make-up game at Fenway Park.
Today's game was originally scheduled for April 13, but was postponed due to rain.
Baltimore notched its third straight win Sunday by completing a sweep of the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Jerry Hairston's two-run single in the ninth inning highlighted a six-run frame, helping Baltimore rally to defeat Detroit, 7-3.
Hairston tied a career-high with four hits and scored a run for Baltimore. Larry Bigbie added a two-run single and Brian Roberts scored two runs in the triumph.
Buddy Groom (2-0) retired the only batter he faced in the eighth inning to record the win. Starter Erik Bedard allowed two runs on seven hits in six innings for the Orioles. He struck out three with two walks.
Melvin Mora finished 1-for-5 to extend his hitting streak to 12 games.
The Red Sox, meanwhile, were coming off a dramatic victory over the Seattle Mariners on Sunday. David McCarty blasted a two-run homer in the bottom of the 12th inning to lead Boston to a 9-7 win at Fenway Park.
McCarty ended 2-for-3 and also scored a pair of runs, including the game-tying run in the eighth. Boston has won four of its last six games overall. Kevin Youkilis added three hits and scored three times in the winning effort.
Red Sox reliever Anastacio Ramirez (2-0) earned the win after pitching two hitless innings in the 10th and 11th.
Rodrigo Lopez gets just his third start of the season for the Orioles today. Lopez started last Wednesday's 12-9 loss to the Yankees and posted a no- decision. He surrendered five runs and six hits in five innings of work.
The 28-year-old righthander is 6-2 with a 4.40 earned run average in 12 career games (eight starts) against the Red Sox.
Derek Lowe will try to earn a victory in his second straight start as he takes the ball for Boston today.
Lowe picked up a win last Wednesday against Oakland despite allowing five runs and nine hits in six innings of work. He also struck out three batters and walked one.
Lowe, who turns 31 on Tuesday, is 8-6 with a 3.23 ERA in 30 career games (12 starts) against the Orioles.
Baltimore has won three of five meetings with the Red Sox this season.
05/31 10:08:07 ET