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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME LOG
BOSTON (AP) -- Some bunt.
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| Johnson |
Charles Johnson hit a two-run homer after Baltimore manager Mike Hargrove took the bunt sign off as the Orioles rallied for five
runs in the 10th inning to end a nine-game losing streak Tuesday
night, 6-3 over the Boston Red Sox.
"I'm hitting ninth in the order," said Johnson, who was given
the sign to swing away with a 2-1 count and the score 1-1. "I know
there's going to be times they call a bunt no matter how many home
runs I hit."
The home run count is up to 16 now, 10 in Johnson's last 27 games.
"I'm trying to relax at the plate a little more than I have in
the past," said Johnson, who hit a 3-2 pitch over the left-field
wall as Boston lost for the eighth time in 10 games.
Baltimore is 2-14 in its last 16 road games.
The game was anything but relaxing as Boston's Pete Schourek and
Baltimore's Mike Mussina were locked in a scoreless duel through 6½ innings.
"The game was on the line every single pitch," Mussina said.
"It's mentally draining to pitch that way, but you've got to keep
going."
Hargrove said he expects Cal Ripken to go on the disabled list
with a bad back. Ripken was removed for a pinch runner after
reaching first on a fielder's choice in the 10th.
Boston took a 1-0 lead on Jose Offerman's RBI single in the
seventh, and Derek Lowe, one of baseball's top relievers, started
the ninth by striking out Mike Bordick. But Delino DeShields
doubled and Albert Belle singled, tying the game.
"It happens to the best of them," catcher Scott Hatteberg said
of Lowe (2-3), who blew a save for the third time in 20 chances.
"We've been losing too many games and we need to win. If we don't,
the next thing you know we'll be too far back to catch up."
The Red Sox, who have struggled at the plate, remained in third
place in the AL East, 2½ games behind Toronto.
Boston loaded the bases with two outs in the ninth, but Offerman
grounded out to first baseman Jeff Conine.
"If we'd have scored a run in the bottom of the ninth,
everything would have been hunky dory," Schourek said.
But Mike Trombley (3-2) retired Offerman, the only batter he
faced in his first appearance in 10 days after being hit by a
stomach virus.
"If I don't get him, it's over," Trombley said. "I was
surprised that I had pretty good stuff even with the nine days
off."
Pinch-hitter Harold Baines started the winning rally by lining a
single off Lowe's right arm. After Johnson homered, Baltimore
loaded the bases on an error, a walk and a single, then scored two
runs on B.J. Surhoff's single and another when Ripken reached on a
fielder's choice as third baseman Manny Alexander's throw to second
to get Conine was late.
Nomar Garciaparra hit his eighth homer, a two-run shot off Alan
Mills in the bottom of the 10th. After Mike Stanley's single, Buddy
Groom relieved for his third save in nine chances.
Boston wasted a chance to in the bottom of the ninth after
loading the bases with two outs on a single by Morgan Burkhart, an
intentional walk to Hatteberg and a walk to Darren Lewis before
Offerman grounded out.
Offerman, who entered with a .233 batting average, had broken up
a scoreless game in the seventh.
Hatteberg opened the inning with a single and took second on
Alexander's sacrifice bunt. Curtis Pride struck out before Offerman
came through.
He hit a liner to right in front of Belle, and Hatteberg scored
as first baseman Conine cut off the throw. After Hatteberg crossed
the plate, Offerman was tagged out by Conine in a rundown.
Mussina, 3-1 in his previous four games, struck out a
season-high 10 batters. Schourek, 0-3 in seven starts since his
last win on May 15, allowed four hits, struck out four and walked
two. Each pitched seven innings.
Game notes
RF Trot Nixon was placed on Boston's 15-day disabled list,
retroactive to Saturday, with a strained right hamstring. ...
Burkhart, who had 17 homers and 54 RBIs for Pawtucket of the
International League, was called up Tuesday to replace Nixon on the
roster. He singled in his first major-league at bat and went
2-for-4 with a walk. ... Surhoff extended his hitting streak to 20
games, one short of his career high, with a single in the seventh.
... The Orioles' 11-31 road record is the worst in baseball.
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ALSO SEE
Baseball Scoreboard
Baltimore Clubhouse
Boston Clubhouse
RECAPS
Baltimore 6
Boston 3
Detroit 7
NY Yankees 6
Tampa Bay 11
Toronto 1
Minnesota 7
Chi. White Sox 4
Cleveland 12
Kansas City 1
Oakland 7
Texas 6
Seattle 5
Anaheim 3
Montreal 6
Atlanta 4
Pittsburgh 6
Chicago Cubs 0
NY Mets 5
Florida 2
St. Louis 4
Cincinnati 3
Philadelphia 7
Milwaukee 0
San Francisco 12
Colorado 7
Houston 12
Arizona 4
Los Angeles 5
San Diego 4
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