Game 19: Orioles at Red Sox - Peavy seeks first win; Sox pay tribute to Marathon victims, heroes

Ben Whitehead
Contributing Writer

Quietly, the Boston Red Sox have strung together a few good games here and there, winning three of the last four. After falling in the series opener with the Baltimore Orioles, the Sox picked up a 4-2 win Saturday afternoon to even this four-game set at one game apiece and snap the O's three-game winning streak.

Tonight, on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball, the Orioles and Red Sox battle to gain the upper-hand in the series before Monday's Patriots' Day morning finale. Boston sends right-hander Jake Peavy to the mound in search of his first win this season. Despite a 1.93 ERA, Peavy has yet to factor into a decision. In his last start, Peavy gave up three hits and one run to the White Sox in a game Boston eventually lost 2-1. Peavy has struck out eight, walked four, and given up one run on three hits in both of his past two starts. That type of outing tonight should land him in the win column.

Here's the Red Sox lineup tonight (first pitch - 7:05 pm ET):

1) Sizemore, CF
2) Pedroia, 2B
3) Ortiz, DH
4) Napoli, 1B
5) Gomes, LF
6) Nava, RF
7) Bogaerts, SS
8) Pierzynski, C
9) Holt, 3B

Peavy, P

Baltimore will start Ubaldo Jimenez, also seeking his first win on the young season. Jimenez hasn't been nearly as good as Peavy, post a 7.31 ERA and losses in all three of his starts. Opponents are hitting .348 against him with four home runs. In his first start of the year, Jimenez gave up four runs on five hits, including two home runs, to the Red Sox in a 6-2 Boston victory.

Special night ahead
The Red Sox have planned a special pregame ceremony to honor the lives lost and those changed forever in last year's Boston Marathon bombings. According to the Red Sox official website:
Prior to Sunday's game, the Red Sox will commemorate the one-year anniversary of last year's Boston Marathon tragedy. The University of Massachusetts marching band and Boston Pipers Society will perform a piece called "Highland Cathedral," as well as the national anthem. Members of the Boston Police Department, Watertown Police Department and Massachusetts State Police will carry the colors.

Day off for JBJ
Jackie Bradley Jr. has played in every game dating back to April 5 against Milwaukee, a stretch of 14 games. The youngster went 6-for-15 in the first five games, but has gone 3-for-30 in the nine games since. He gets tonight off with Grady Sizemore roaming center field, Jonny Gomes in left and Daniel Nava in right. It's like that Sizemore will get tomorrow off due to the early start after a night game and JBJ will be back in center.

Victorino goes 0-for in rehab stint
Playing with the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox, Shane Victorino went 0-for-3 in his first action since straining his right hamstring late in Spring Training. Victorino played right field Saturday, had today off and will play back-to-back games Monday and Tuesday with the PawSox before being reevaluated by the Red Sox.

Middlebrooks to begin rehab Monday, joins Victorino
Will Middlebrooks, the other major Sox contributor on the DL, will begin his rehab stint with Pawtucket Monday and will play alongside Victorino. He'll have Tuesday off and play consecutive games Wednesday and Thursday before his reevaluation.

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