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The Red Sox got out to an early lead in the first inning, when Jason Bay had a two-out single to left, which scored Jacoby Ellbsury and Kevin Youkilis. The Orioles answered back with a run of their own in the second when Cesar Izturis grounded into a double play. Boston added a run in the fourth, when Jason Varitek doubled to center, which scored Mike Lowell and put the Sox up two runs.

After the Orioles cut the lead to 3-2 in the fifth, Manny Delcarmen relieved Paul Byrd. Byrd had a solid outing resulting in five innings pitched, two earned runs, six hits and three walks. Delcarmen gave up the tying run and was relieved by Ramon Ramirez who allowed the O’s to go up 4-3 after six innings. In the bottom of the sixth, Joey Gathright pinch ran for Varitek and was able to score on an infield hit by Dustin Pedroia, which tied the game at 4 after six innings.

Billy Wagner pitched a scoreless seventh which led to some late inning heroics by Victor Martinez. Martinez pinch hit for George Kottaras with the bases loaded, and hit a double to center that scored three runs and gave the Sox a 7-4 lead.

Papelbon ended up giving up one run in a four-out save opportunity, but it was enough for the Sox to hold onto the lead for the second night in a row.  The offense was productive again for the second straight night and the bullpen, aside for the run given up by Papelbon, did a solid job of protecting the lead.

Sox Stud of the Game: Jason Bay

Jason Bay went 3-5 tonight with 2 RBI, 1 run scored, and two strikeouts. Bay got the Sox off to a 2-0 lead in the first and was on base during the go-ahead, three-run double Martinez had in the seventh.

Sox Dud of the Game: Alex Gonzalez

Alex Gonzalez was the only starter who did not record a hit. He was 0-1 with runners in scoring position.

Game Notes:

W:  B. Wagner (1-0)
L:  M. Albers (2-5)
S: J. Papelbon (35)

• Both teams combined to use 13 pitchers
• Daisuke Matsuzaka made a rehab start in Single-A, going 6 2/3 innings allowing one run, three hits, seven strikeouts and a walk

Tags: Baltimore Orioles, George Kottaras, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jason Bay, Jason Varitek, Joey Gathright, Jonathan Papelbon, Kevin Youkilis, Manny Delcarmen, Paul Byrd, Ramon Ramirez, Red Sox, Victor Martinez