Boston Red Sox (89-70) @ Baltimore Orioles (67-92)
Josh Beckett (13-6, 2.70) @ Tommy Hunter (4-4, 4.86)
7:05 PM EDT | Camden Yards (Baltimore, MD)
TV: NESN, MLB Network RADIO: WEEI 850, WWZN 1510

GAME NOTES

In a game the Red Sox had to win, Jacoby Ellbury hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the 14th inning in a tense nightcap against the Yankees, reducing Boston’s magic number to three. Ellsbury has had an MVP-caliber season. Here’s hoping that he carries that over to the final series at Baltimore, and that more teammates join him in his success. A one-game lead in the Wild Card race is tight but manageable if the Sox play well.

Taking the mound tonight for the Red Sox is Josh Beckett. In his last outing, against the Orioles, Beckett went 7.1 innings but gave up a season high 6 runs on 7 hits ans 1 walk with 8 strikeouts. Josh will have to do better than that tonight to keep the Red Sox in contention.

The Orioles give the ball to Tommy Hunter tonight. Hunter took a no decision in his last appearance against the Red Sox (facing Beckett), giving up 4 runs on 9 hits, 1 walk, and 4 Ks. However, Hunter did shut out the Angels for 7 innings on September 16, getting the win.

Lineups

Boston Red Sox

  1. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
  2. Carl Crawford, LF
  3. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
  4. David Ortiz, DH
  5. Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
  6. Jed Lowrie, 3B
  7. J.D. Drew, RF
  8. Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
  9. Marco Scutaro, SS

Baltimore Orioles

  1. Matt Angle, LF
  2. J.J. Hardy, SS
  3. Nick Markakis, RF
  4. Vladimir Guerrero, DH
  5. Matt Wieters, C
  6. Adam Jones, CF
  7. Mark Reynolds, 1B
  8. Chris Davis, 3B
  9. Robert Andino, 2B

INJURY REPORT

Boston: Clay Buchholz, lower back strain (placed on 15-day DL June 19, retroactive to June 17); Kevin Youkilis, left hip bursitis and sports hernia (day-to-day)

Baltimore: Cesar Izturis, left groin strain (placed on 15-day DL August 8); Ryan Adams, sports hernia (day-to-day)

 

Fun Facts

– Don’t forget to join us tonight for a megachat with our friends at It’s About the Money Stupid and The Ray Area.

– Adrian Gonzalez (210 hits) and Jacoby Ellsbury (208) are the third set of Sox teammates to each record at least 200 hits in a season. They join Wade Boggs (240) and Bill Buckner (201) in 1985 and Boggs (207) and Jim Rice (200) in 1986.

– On September 26, 1972, Red Sox pitcher Marty Pattin homered at Fenway against the Brewers. In 1973 the designated hitter rule was adopted in the American League. Pattin was the last Red Sox pitcher to hit a home run in a game between American League teams.

– And for today’s Totally Untrue Fun Fact: Marty Pattin was fond of wearing shiny black shoes. When Rico Petrocelli asked him why he did so, Pattin would always say, “They’re named after me! Pattin-leather shoes!”