For the second time this season, the Boston Red Sox failed to get over the .500 mark when they had a chance. The first time around, they lost five straight games after getting there. We can only hope that’s not the case this time around.
It was a tough night last night for the Red Sox bats as they were held to just two hits on the night in the 4-1 loss to the first place Baltimore Orioles (that just doesn’t sound normal).
The only hits the visiting nine would manage was a 2nd inning single by RF Adrian Gonzalez and a solo home run by 1B Kevin Youkilis who was making his return to the Red Sox lineup. Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Daniel Nava earned walks and were the only baserunners of the night.
They were held at bay by Brian Matusz who was absolutely filthy at times last night. He was mixing in all of his pitches and his offspeed stuff was a big part of his nine strikeouts on the night. All told the Red Sox struck out 12 times on the evening.
Felix Doubront was once again solid for the Red Sox throwing six innings. The only real mistake he made was leaving a pitch out over the plate that Steve Tolleson crushed for a two-run blast in the 2nd inning. Matt Albers allowed the other two runs when Wilson Betemit took him deep in the 8th.
While Doubront has been pitching well as of late for the Sox, his high pitch counts are still of concern. He did strikeout a career-high nine batters last night but opposing teams are still making him work. He faced five batters in the 1st inning but had to throw 27 pitches. He’s still young and learning but he needs to be more efficient with his pitches.
If he can do that, with his stuff, he could turn into one of the better lefties in the game.
Click on the read more button below to see today’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the day if you’re on the home page.
After falling last night 4-1, the Boston Red Sox look for the series win this afternoon in the rubber game of a three-game set with the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
First pitch is scheduled for 12:35 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Orioles television market, you can catch the game on MASN. If you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to it on the Red Sox radio network.
Daniel Bard will try not to commit a balk in his ninth appearance (eighth start) of 2012. In his previous eight appearances (seven starts), Bard is 3-5 with a 4.85 ERA. He has not faced the Orioles in 2012 and was 0-2 with a 4.70 ERA in seven appearances in 2011. Bard has made 20 career appearances against the O’s and is 0-2 with a 3.27 ERA (8 ER/22 IP). 11 of those appearances have come at Camden Yards where he is 0-1 with a 3.27 ERA (4 ER/13.2 IP).
Jake Arrieta will make his 10th start this season for the AL East leaders. In his previous nine starts, Arrieta is 2-4 with a 4.72 ERA. He has not faced the Red Sox in 2012 and was 0-2 with a 5.56 ERA (7 ER/11.1 IP) in two starts last year. Overall in his career, he’s made three starts against the Red Sox and is 0-2 with a 5.51 ERA (10 ER/16.1 IP).
Here are today’s lineups:
And here is how the hitters have fared against today’s starting pitchers:
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Checked swings [Boston Globe]
Ross could be back much sooner than expected [Boston Globe]
With all due respect, why would Ortiz be so upset? [Boston Globe]
Sox whiff vs. Orioles [Boston Herald]
‘Good signs’ for Cody Ross [Boston Herald]
Matt Albers no longer owns Orioles [Boston Herald]
Kevin Youkilis makes an impact [Boston Herald]
Sox GM Cherington lauds Ortiz [Boston Herald]
Heart Drives Big Papi [CBS Boston]
So it turns out Ortiz is mad at . . . Mazz! [CSN New England]
Ross faces reality of injury, hopes to be back soon [CSN New England]
Nothing doing for Sox offense against Matusz, O’s bullpen [CSN New England]
Doubront brings ‘good stuff’ for Sox despite loss [CSN New England]
Sox finishing up marathon 20 games in 20 days [CSN New England]
Could Gonzalez play left field at Fenway? [CSN New England]
Video: ‘PTI’ on Papi’s rant [ESPN Boston]
Rapid Reaction: Orioles 4, Red Sox 1 [ESPN Boston]
Kevin Youkilis returns for Boston Red Sox; future in question [ESPN Boston]
Podsednik becomes Boston’s 6th CF [ESPN Boston]
Pre-game notes from Camden Yards [Extra Bases]
Red Sox health updates (non-Cody Ross edition): Ryan Sweeney, Darnell McDonald, Ryan Kalish, Aaron Cook [Full Count]
The latest on Cody Ross’ foot [Full Count]
Closing Time: Red Sox bats go silent in loss to the Orioles [Full Count]
Adrian Gonzalez spits in the face of danger in right field and other Red Sox notes [Full Count]
Felix Doubront’s Nine Strikeout Performance Proof He Has Talent to Win Cy Young [NESN.com]
Is Right Field More Demanding Defensively Than First Base? [NESN.com]
Bobby Valentine ‘Can’t See’ Trading Kevin Youkilis, Says Adrian Gonzalez Once Volunteered to Pitch (Video) [NESN.com]
Kevin Youkilis Looks to Show Off Power Stroke Again Versus Orioles in Series Finale [NESN.com]
Podsednik excited to be back in Majors [RedSox.com]
Cherington: Sox have a lot of respect for Ortiz [RedSox.com]
Gonzalez gets outfield start as Youk returns [RedSox.com]
Doubront fans nine, but Sox drop below .500 [RedSox.com]
Ross, Sweeney placed on disabled list [RedSox.com]
After wild outing, Bard looks to bounce back [RedSox.com]
Help is on the way? For Red Sox, Kevin Youkilis’ return is a start [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]
For more slices of Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, CSN New England, ESPN Boston, NESN, Providence Journal, RedSox.com and WEEI websites.
And if you must check out the enemy news, be sure to head over to the Baltimore Sun and MASN websites. Also be sure to check out our Bloguin brother the Oriole Post for all of your Orioles needs.
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photo credit: Getty Images, Getty Images, Reuters Pictures
Well here’s the breakdown courtesy of 
21-22
28-16