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Red Sox try to finish in tie for second in AL East

Oct 1, 2006 - 2:49 PM Baltimore (70-91) at Boston (85-76) 2:05 pm EDT

BOSTON (Ticker) - The Boston Red Sox are on the verge of finishing an unlikely third.

The Red Sox wrap up their 2006 season with the finale of a three-game series against the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday.

While the New York Yankees have owned first place in the American League East for nine consecutive seasons, Boston has placed second for the past eight campaigns. However, they need to win and hope the Yankees beat the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday to forge a tie for second.

The Red Sox appeared to have the first two games of this set in their grasp, but squandered a 4-3 lead in the ninth en route to falling to the Orioles, 5-4. Former Red Sox Kevin Millar hit the decisive two-run single as Baltimore snapped a nine-game losing streak at Fenway Park.

Boston turns to rookie Devern Hansack (0-1, 5.40 ERA), who will make the second start of his career. In his major league debut on September 23, Hansack allowed three runs and six hits in five-plus frames of a 5-3 setback to the Blue Jays.

In search of a second straight win at Fenway, the Orioles will go with Hayden Penn (0-3, 13.76). The 21-year-old will be looking for a much longer outing after surrendering two runs, four hits and three walks in three-plus frames of a 5-4 setback at New York on Tuesday.

Appearing in his first game in a week, Manny Ramirez hit his 35th homer and Carlos Pena had two hits for the Red Sox, who have dropped four of their last seven home games.