Orioles

The Baltimore Orioles knocked starter Clay Buchholz out of the game in the sixth inning, put up six runs and hit their major league-leading 65th home run of the season. That would be enough to win most games — except this one against the hard-hitting Boston Red Sox. David Ortiz launched Boston's comeback from a three-run deficit with a mighty home run, and the Red Sox banged out 14 hits in an 8-6 victory Monday night. The Orioles staked starter Tommy Hunter to a 5-2 lead, but after Ortiz homered to begin a three-run sixth, Boston rode the momentum to the finish.

BALTIMORE (AP) — Brian Matusz allowed two hits and struck out nine in 6 1-3 innings, Steve Tolleson and Wilson Betemit both hit two-run homers, and the Baltimore Orioles beat the Boston Red Sox 4-1 on Tuesday night. It was the sixth win in eight games for the AL East-leading Orioles, who improved to 4-1 against Boston this season. Tolleson homered off Felix Doubront in the second inning and Betemit connected against Matt Albers in the eighth. Kevin Youkilis homered for the Red Sox, who were seeking to climb over .500 for the first time this season.

Game over: Red Sox 8, Orioles 6: Alfredo Aceves earned his 10th save with a 1-2-3 inning. The real story was Vicente Padilla who got two critical outs with runners in scoring position in the 8th. There were only 16,392 on hand at Camden Yards. The game was played in 3:16 as the Red Sox moved to .500 at 21-21. Top 9th: Red Sox 8, Orioles 6: Troy Patton strikes out Adrian Gonzalez and Jarrod Saltalamacchia in a 1-2-3 innings. Bottom 8th: Red Sox 8, Orioles 6: Rich Hill eight-appearance hitless streak came to an end when Nick Markakis singled to left field.

BALTIMORE - Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine got creative with his lineup when Kevin Youkilis returned to the roster Tuesday night after spending three weeks on the disabled list. Youkilis started at first base against the Orioles with Adrian Gonzalez moving to right field. Rookie Will Middlebrooks, who became an important member of the lineup when Youkilis was out, stayed at third base. The idea was to maximize the team's ability to score runs. Brian Matusz and three relievers foiled that, holding the Red Sox to a season-low two hits as the Orioles won, 4-1, before 25,171 at Camden Yards.

Game over The Red Sox - Pedroia, Ortiz and Gonzalez - go down in order against sinker-balling reliever Jim Johnson, who earned his 16th save. The game was played before 25,171 in 2:57. Matusz improved to 4-4 and Doubront fell to 4-2. Bottom 8th: Orioles 4, Red Sox 1 Oops. Matt Albers had strung together 11-1/3 scoreless, hitless innings vs. Baltimore until Wilson Betemit stroked a two-run homer to right with Wieters (walk) aboard. So much for keeping things close.

Monday: RHP Clay Buchholz (4-2, 7.77) vs. RHP Tommy Hunter (2-2, 4.78), 7:05 p.m., NESN Tuesday: LHP Felix Doubront (4-1, 4.09) vs. LHP Brian Matusz (3-4, 5.36), 7:05 p.m., NESN Wednesday: RHP Daniel Bard (3-5, 4.85) vs. RHP Jake Arrieta (2-4, 4.72), 12:35 p.m., NESN

Good afternoon. Here are the lineups. RED SOX (20-21) Aviles SS Pedroia 2B Ortiz DH Gonzalez 1B Middlebrooks 3B Saltalamacchia C Nava LF Byrd CF Lin RF Pitching: RHP Clay Buchholz (4-2, 7.77) ORIOLES (27-15) Avery LF Hardy SS Markakis RF Jones CF Wieters C Davis 1B Betemit 3B Johnson DH Andino 2B Pitching: RHP Tommy Hunter (2-2, 4.78) Game time: 7:05 p.m. TV/Radio: NESN / WRKO Red Sox vs Hunter: Ortiz 6-18, 2 HR; Pedroia 5-12, Sweeney 4-11, Gonzalez 3-9,...

By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff The Orioles say they have claimed catcher Luis Exposito, who was designated for assignment by the Red Sox on Saturday. Exposito, 25, is a career .268/.324/.420 hitter in seven minor league seasons. He was a 31st round selection in the 2005 draft. No word as yet on the fate of RHP Michael Bowden, who also was designated.

Here are the lineups: RED SOX (11-13) Aviles SS Middlebrooks 3B Gonzalez 1B Pedroia 2B Ortiz DH Ross RF McDonald LF Byrd CF Shoppach C Pitching: LHP Jon Lester (1-2, 4.65) ORIOLES (16-9) Andino 2B Hardy SS Markakis RF Jones CF Wieters DH Betemit LF Davis 1B Reynolds 3B Paulino C Pitching: LHP Wei-Yin Chen (2-0, 2.22) Game time: 7:10 p.m. TV/Radio: NESN / WRKO Orioles vs. Lester: Markakis 11-5, Jones 8-35, Wieters 8-25, Reimold 4-12, Davis 0-10,...

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- A miserable week for Lee Mazzilli began with Rafael Palmeiro's suspension and ended with the manager's dismissal. The Baltimore Orioles fired Mazzilli yesterday in the middle of a massive slide, just three days after Palmeiro became the biggest major league star to be caught using steroids. "It's not the kind of week that you want to have very often, that's for sure," Baltimore second baseman Brian Roberts said. Sam Perlozzo was appointed interim manager for the rest of the season -- and he won his first game.

Boston #####@ #± Baltimore ######@ # ab r h bi± # ###### #@ ab r h bi Aviles ss 4 0 0 0± Andino 2b 4 0 0 0 Pedroia 2b 4 0 0 0± Hardy ss 3 0 0 0 Ortiz dh 4 0 0 0± Markks rf 4 0 2 0 AdGnzl rf 4 0 1 0± AdJons cf 4 0 1 0 Youkils 1b 3 1 1 1± Wieters c 3 1 0 0 Mdlrks 3b 3 0 0 0± Betemt 1b 3 1 1 2 Sltlmch c 2 0 0 0± C.Davis dh 3 1 1 0 Nava lf 2 0 0 0± Hall pr-dh 1 0 1 0 Byrd cf 2 0 0 0± Tollesn 3b 3 1 1 2 Pdsdnk ph-cf 1 0 0 0± Flahrty 3b 0...

Brian Matusz handed the baseball to manager Buck Showalter and headed off the mound, walking ever so slowly toward the Orioles dugout as many in the crowd of 25,171 stood and cheered. The left-hander could be forgiven for soaking it all in, because the ovation was a long time coming. Matusz allowed two hits and struck out nine in 6 1-3 innings, Steve Tolleson and Wilson Betemit both hit two-run homers, and Baltimore beat the Boston Red Sox 4-1 on Tuesday night. It was the sixth win in eight games for the AL East-leading Orioles, who improved to 4-1 against Boston this season.

BALTIMORE - Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine got creative with his lineup when Kevin Youkilis returned to the roster Tuesday night after spending three weeks on the disabled list. Youkilis started at first base against the Orioles with Adrian Gonzalez moving to right field. Rookie Will Middlebrooks, who became an important member of the lineup when Youkilis was out, stayed at third base. The idea was to maximize the team's ability to score runs. Brian Matusz and three relievers foiled that, holding the Red Sox to a season-low two hits as the Orioles won, 4-1, before 25,171 at...

Good morning. Here is a preview of today's game: RED SOX (21-22) Aviles SS Pedroia 2B Ortiz DH Gonzalez RF Youkilis 1B Middlebrooks 3B Nava LF Podsednik CF Shoppach C Pitching: RHP Daniel Bard (3-5, 4.85) ORIOLES (28-16) Avery LF Andino SS Markakis RF Jones CF Davis 1B Betemit 3B Johnson DH Flaherty 2B Exposito C Pitching: RHP Jake Arrieta (2-4, 4.72) Game time: 12:35 p.m. TV/Radio: NESN / WEEI Orioles vs. Bard: Markakis 3-11, Jones 2-8, Wieters...

Game over: Red Sox 6, Orioles 5: Aceves does it again for his 11th save, Sox are back to .500 at 22-22 and were 5-3 on their road trip. They have won 10 of 13 and 18 of the last 30. Back with more later. Middle of the 9th: Red Sox 6, Orioles 5: The Sox went in order. It's up to Aceves to try to close it out and end the road trip on a good note. Top of the 9th: Red Sox 6, Orioles 5: Padilla walked Markakis before Jones doubled to left. With two in scoring position and no outs.

The Baltimore Orioles knocked starter Clay Buchholz out of the game in the sixth inning, put up six runs and hit their major league-leading 65th home run of the season. That would be enough to win most games — except this one against the hard-hitting Boston Red Sox. David Ortiz launched Boston's comeback from a three-run deficit with a mighty home run, and the Red Sox banged out 14 hits in an 8-6 victory Monday night. The Orioles staked starter Tommy Hunter to a 5-2 lead, but after Ortiz homered to begin a three-run sixth, Boston rode the momentum...