May 5th v.s. Baltimore

[jsinger121]

Game Info:

Date: Friday, May 5th, 2006

First Pitch: 7:05pm EST

TV: NESN

Starting Pitchers:

 

http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/images/gameday/mugshots/mlb/150438.jpg

 

http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/images/gameday/mugshots/mlb/121811.jpg

 

Rodrigo Lopez (1-3 6.81)

Curt Schilling (4-1 2.88)

 

Schilling, Red Sox welcome Orioles to Fenway

 

(AP)The Boston Red Sox will try to maintain their recent dominance of the Baltimore Orioles when the American League East inhabitants begin a three-games series tonight at Fenway Park.

 

The Red Sox have won eight straight over the O's and swept a three-game set from Baltimore in Camden Yards in early April.

 

Things won't get any easier for the Orioles in Friday's opener, as Boston ace Curt Schilling takes the mound in search of his fifth victory of the young season.

 

Schilling won his first four starts of 2006 in dominating fashion, but hasn't fared as well in his two most recent outings. After allowing five runs over 6 2/3 innings in a no decision at Cleveland on April 25, Schilling suffered his first defeat of the year after surrendering three runs over six frames Sunday at Tampa Bay. The veteran righty did record a season-high nine strikeouts in the loss.

 

The 39-year-old beat Baltimore at Camden Yards with a stellar performance back on April 8, as he held the Orioles to a run and just three hits in seven innings during a 2-1 Boston victory. For his career Schilling is 3-4 with a 3.63 earned run average in eight starts against Baltimore.

 

The Orioles, who enter the series having lost five of six and nine of their last 12 games, hope to get Rodrigo Lopez back on track when he toes the rubber on Friday. Baltimore's Opening Day starter is just 1-3 with a lackluster 6.81 ERA for the season and has lost his last two starts.

 

One of Lopez's losses this year came to the Red Sox, as he was tagged for four runs on eight hits and walked four over 5 2/3 innings on April 9. The Mexican righthander has generally had success when facing Boston, however. He is 10-6 with a 3.90 ERA in 22 career appearances, including 18 starts, against the Sox.

 

Lopez's 10 victories over Boston are his most versus any single team.

 

Tonight's game also marks the return of Kevin Millar to Fenway Park. The popular first baseman spent the previous three seasons with the Red Sox and was a key contributor to the club's world championship run in 2004. Millar was not re-signed by Boston in the offseason and subsequently inked a one-year contract with the Orioles.

 

Boston remained in a virtual tie with the rival New York Yankees for first place in the AL East after Thursday's 7-4 victory over Toronto. Kevin Youkilis went 3-for-5 with two runs batted in as the Red Sox salvaged a split of the two-game series.

 

Mike Lowell also knocked in a pair of runs and scored twice for the Red Sox, who put up five runs in the first inning to take the lead for good. Matt Clement (3-2) earned the win as he allowed just one run on two hits in a six- inning span.

 

The Orioles, meanwhile, continued to sputter with Thursday's 8-2 setback to Texas. Kevin Millwood threw a complete game four-hitter to lead the Rangers to a sweep of the two-game set at Ameriquest Field.

 

Jay Gibbons hit his eighth homer of the season and Nick Markakis drove in the other run for the Orioles. Baltimore starter Bruce Chen (0-4) continued to struggle and picked up the loss after yielding eight runs -- seven earned -- on 11 hits in four innings.

[yeszir]

My first game of the year! Woohoo!

[mtbykr]

The return of Millar to fenway--i really miss that guy! I am glad Youk is at 1st but Millar brought a lot to the table off the field!

[mtbykr]

Some Millar quotes about tonights game:

 

When asked about the 2006 Red Sox, Millar said, “guys have told me it’s different. It doesn’t mean they can’t or won’t win. Guys [from last year’s Sox team] were more vocal ... [David] Ortiz would love to see my naked body.”

 

“I think fans appreciated the below-average guys. We had a few superstars, Manny [Ramirez], Ortiz ... but look at [bill] Mueller, etc. guys grinding their way.”

 

“It was surprising to see a lot of position players leave in a six week span. That was strange. You can’t control that as a player ... we gave everything we can.”

 

 

I’m excited. It was exciting to land here early in the morning. Looking at the streets it reminded me of when we got back from St. Louis [after winning the World Series].”

[RedSoxRooter]

Damn. I was just about to post that first quote. :lol:

 

I hope he gets a huge standing ovation.

 

Lineups:

 

Orioles

Fahey

Mora

Tehada

Gibbons

Hernandez

Conine

Patterson

Millar

Markakis

 

Red Sox

Youk

Loretta

Ortiz

Manny

Nixon

Tek

Lowell

Pena

Gonzalez

[mtbykr]

Figures, i have had Directv for 3 years and it picks 6.55pm to start with the "searching for satelite" crap. It's not raining, only cloud cover so let's hope it clears up or i many have to kill someone!

[jsinger121]

Great diving catch by Lowell in foul ground

[The Monster is my Mom]

this might be Millar's only trip to Fenway this year too, since he is in some trade rumors to go to the Cubbies. We'll see...

[jsinger121]

Gonzalez drops a throw at second on the transfer. mora scores.....gonzalez was real lazy on that play as the ump could have called tejada safe at second and agonz was just looking at the ball on the ground.

[Rdsxmbnt]

offense seems to be doing pretty good so far

[Rdsxmbnt]

manny with the base hit, runners on first and second, 1 out

[TheKilo]

Doubles machine.

[mtbykr]

what kind of reaction did millar get on his first AB?

[TheKilo]

what kind of reaction did millar get on his first AB?

 

 

Standing O. He stepped out and waved to the crowd.

[jsinger121]

Lowell 14 doubles on the year

[mtbykr]

i feel like the rivinator watching the game on gamecast!

[TheKilo]

Gonzalez really is terrible.

[jsinger121]

Gonzalez keeps up his pathetic hitting

[a700hitter]

This guy Lopez pitches like Cy Young against the Sox.

[jsinger121]

This guy Lopez pitches like Cy Young against the Sox.

 

The Sox have beaten him the last couple times but his overall record against Boston for his career is impressive.

[a700hitter]

Orsillo said that it looks like Crisp will be back at the end of May.

[TheKilo]

This guy Lopez pitches like Cy Young against the Sox.

 

 

He really hasn't been all that good tonight...need a big 2 out hit.

[TheKilo]

Doubles machine.

 

 

.

[jsinger121]

Lowell with another double.....15th on the season

[TheKilo]

Wily Mo going the opposite way is a beautiful thing.

[Rdsxmbnt]

nice heads up play for Lowell, hes been on fire with the bat also

[jsinger121]

AGonz gets a rare bunt down

[TheKilo]

This ump has a very generous strike zone.

[ORS]

Wily Mo going the opposite way is a beautiful thing.

I can't wait until pitchers think they have to come in on him.

[TheKilo]

Damn, hung up just a little too much.

 

 

I'm liking this "go to right field" approach by these hitters.