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Sports

Red Sox try to secure split of 4-game set with O's

By Sports Network
Published | Updated

The Boston Red Sox will take aim at a series tie as they battle the Baltimore Orioles in the finale of the four-game set at Camden Yards.

Baltimore had won its previous six home games versus the Red Sox going into Saturday, but the visitors held on late for a 5-4 triumph in the third game of the series on Saturday.

"Any win is good," Red Sox manager John Farrell said. "This is a very good team. They've somewhat carved out a characteristic over the last year-plus, two years of late-inning comebacks."

Mike Carp hit a two-run home run and Jonny Gomes added a solo shot for the Red Sox, who also had runs driven in by Dustin Pedroia and Stephen Drew. Although David Ortiz hit his second triple of the season in the win, he is still just 2-for-15 in his last four games.

Rookie third baseman Jose Iglesias continued his consistent production as he went 1-for-3 with a walk. Iglesias has been held hitless just once in the 22 games he has had multiple at-bats in this season and is currently on a 16-game hit streak.

Jon Lester will start for Boston in place of the injured Clay Buchholz on Sunday. After winning his first six games this season, Lester has watched his ERA rise from 2.72 to 4.12 while accumulating three losses and a pair of no- decisions over his past five outings. Lester lasted only 4 2/3 innings on Tuesday as he gave up seven runs to Tampa Bay.

"I feel great," Lester said after his most recent setback. "I honestly do. I know pitch count's been a thing this year, but tonight I felt great. Probably the best I've felt all season. It just comes down to commanding the baseball, whether you have nagging stuff, minor stuff, whatever it is -- commanding the baseball is simple, and I didn't do that."

The Orioles will counter will Miguel Gonzalez, who was very much in the zone in his last appearance. Gonzalez gave up only one run over a season-high eight innings against the Angels on Tuesday as he collected his second consecutive win.

Baltimore third baseman Manny Machado extended his hitting streak to a career- best 13 games on Saturday as he finished 2-for-4, including his MLB-leading 31st double. Machado has already become the youngest player in club history to accumulate 30 doubles in a season and has gone 20-for-47 in his last 11 games against Boston.

Orioles first baseman Chris Davis belted his MLB-leading 22nd homer of the season on Friday, but went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in the third game of the series. Davis is 0-for-13 with two strikeouts in his career versus Lester.

Baltimore is 4-2 against the Red Sox this season after taking 13 of the 18 matchups a year ago. Boston holds a 2 1/2-game lead over the hosts for first place in the AL East heading into Sunday.