Watch CBS News

Orioles Return To Baltimore For Memorial Day Game

The Boston Red Sox and the Baltimore Orioles are battling for the top spot in an American League East Division that is getting tighter by the week. The Red Sox will try to maintain their slim one-game edge over the Orioles when they visit Baltimore on Monday in the opener of a four-game series.

Boston is suddenly trying to answer some questions about its bullpen after it gave up late runs in all three games over the weekend in Toronto. The Red Sox dropped the first two and squandered a 3-2 lead in Sunday's contest before pulling out a 5-3 win in 11 innings when Dustin Pedroia drove in the go-ahead run with a ground-rule double.

The Orioles went into the weekend riding a four-game losing streak but managed to take two out of three in Cleveland to finish up the nine-game road trip with a 4-5 mark. Baltimore let a 4-0 lead slip away in Sunday's finale against the Indians but outfielder Hyun Soo Kim belted his first career home run in the seventh to snap the tie and Nolan Reimold added another in the ninth inning for a 6-4 win.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH Steven Wright (4-4, 2.52 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Tyler Wilson (2-3, 3.80)

Wright is the most reliable member of the Boston starting rotation at this point and is coming off two consecutive strong starts. The knuckleballer baffled the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday and struck out seven while allowing three runs – two earned – on seven hits in as many innings to earn a win. Wright is making his first start against the Orioles and owns a 1.73 ERA in five road outings this season.

Wilson is trying to bounce back after a pair of losses to Seattle and Houston. The 26-year-old Virginia native surrendered a pair of home runs at Houston on Wednesday and was charged with four runs – three earned – on six hits in six innings. Wilson tossed three scoreless innings of relief at Boston on April 13 in his lone previous appearance against the Red Sox.

WALK-OFFS

1. Red Sox DH David Ortiz (sore left foot) was scratched from Sunday's lineup and is day-to-day.

2. Baltimore RF Mark Trumbo recorded six RBIs and five extra-base hits – two home runs – in the last four games.

3. Boston SS Xander Bogaerts has hit safely in 22 straight games.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 8, Orioles 4

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.