Down 9-6 to start off the bottom of the ninth the Boston Red Sox scored two runs on an Eric Hinske RBI single and an error by Melvin Mora that scored Alex Cora, but Jason Varitek grounded into a 4-6-3 double play to kill the rally losing to the Baltimore Orioles 9-8.
On the upside, Boston did not lose any ground to the New York Yankees in the American League East as the Bombers lost to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays 9-1. Joba Chamberlain was also suspended two games for the incident yesterday where he threw two pitches near the head of Kevin Youkilis.
Tim Wakefield was scratched for the start due to a sore lower back and was replaced by Julian Tavarez (7-10) who only lasted 3 1/3 innings, on seven hits, four runs, one walk and no strikeouts. Wakefield was sorely missed as the Red Sox were forced to go to the bullpen early and the Orioles took advantage of not having to face the 16 game winner.
Nick Markakis made Mike Timlin’s 1,000 appearance for his career a sour one by hitting a three-run homer to right field busting the game open 9-3 which forced the Red Sox to attempt a comeback. Timlin only pitched for 2/3 of an inning giving up four runs on four hits in his 1,000 appearance in his career.
David Ortiz started off the scoring for the Red Sox in the first inning hitting his 26th homerun of the season to right field off of Orioles starter Radhames Liz, but failed in the eighth inning with a chance to tie the game with two runners on base first lining a pitch off of Chad Bradford foul near Pesky Pole.
