Game 153: Orioles at Red Sox - Peavy looks to punch Sox postseason ticket
Contributing Writer
No, the Red Sox didn’t win their 93rd game. Yes, Koji Uehara’s streak of not allowing a base runner ended at 37, as did his scoreless streak at 30.1 innings.
Yes, the Red Sox Magic Number still dropped down to 3.
The Boston Red Sox (92-60) still own Major League’s best record and are just a few wins away of clinching the AL East championship. Tuesday night, the Baltimore Orioles (80-70) kept their postseason hopes alive with a 3-2 come-from-behind win over the Red Sox to remain 2.0 games back in the Wild Card chase.
Tonight, it’s Jake Peavy on the mound for the Sox on #GetBeard Night at the Fens. The Red Sox are offering $1 tickets to those who are in still need of a ticket and show up with a bearded face (real, fake or otherwise). Peavy is 3-1 with a 3.66 ERA with the Red Sox, but has thrown back-to-back no decisions, giving up seven earned runs in 12.0 innings with 10 hits, eight walks and eight strikeouts. Peavy looks to get back on track against Baltimore and clinch a playoff berth with a win.
Here is the Red Sox lineup tonight (first pitch – 7:10 pm EDT):
1. Pedroia, 2B
2. Victorino, CF
3. Ortiz, DH
4. Napoli, 1B
5. Gomes, LF
6. Nava, RF
7. Middlebrooks, 3B
8. Drew, SS
9. Ross, C
Peavy, P
Wei-Yin Chen takes the ball for the Orioles. Chen is an even 7-7 with a 3.99 ERA this year, with his last decision coming against the Red Sox on Aug. 27 – a loss in which he gave up eight runs on eight hits and didn’t escape the fourth inning.
Middlebrooks healthy
Third baseman Will Middlebrooks has been battling the flu the past week and missed a few games. He’s back in the Red Sox lineup and could provide the spark needed to finish these last 10 games on a high note. Middlebrooks had been on a tear before the last few games. He raised his average from .192 (when he returned to the big club) to .245. He went 0-for-17 in his last five games before missing time with the virus, dropping his average to .231.
This and that
Orioles manager Buck Showalter is 32-24 against the Red Sox, including 8-6 against Boston this season. The Orioles are the only AL East team that the Red Sox have a losing record against this year…Boston is seeking win No. 93. This, a season after losing 93 games. The win would clinch a postseason berth, but the Sox have their sights set on higher aspirations.
Let us know what you think about tonight’s game by commenting below.
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