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Orioles-Red Sox Preview

Apr 25, 2010 - 4:29 AM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Baltimore (2-15) at Boston (7-10), 1:35 p.m. EDT

While the Boston Red Sox haven't made it easy, they've managed to extend their dominance of the Baltimore Orioles this weekend.

The Red Sox look to complete a sweep of the Orioles on Sunday when they try to win their 11th straight between the two.

Boston (8-10) is slowly moving back toward .500 after a five-game losing streak dropped the team to 4-9. The Red Sox have since taken two of three from Texas and won their first two against the Orioles (2-16), including an 7-6 victory on Saturday.

The win was Boston's 10th straight over Baltimore and the 18th in 20 games between the two. While the Red Sox entered this series having outscored the Orioles 68-29 over the previous eight wins, they've relied on some late scoring to extend the winning streak this weekend.

On Friday, Boston broke a 3-all tie in the eighth after Baltimore reliever Matt Albers issued a bases-loaded walk. On Saturday, the Red Sox scored six runs in the seventh inning to erase a 3-1 deficit. Albers again was charged with the loss after he was reached for three runs in one-third of an inning.

The Orioles would attempt a comeback, scoring three times in the ninth, but Jonathan Papelbon struck out Ty Wigginton and Rhyne Hughes to end the game. Baltimore has lost five straight and was 5 for 15 with runners in scoring position in their latest defeat.

Boston hit three homers in Saturday's win and has nine in its last five games.

"I hope it has something to do with our swings," manager Terry Francona said. "But I think it has something to do with the weather."

The Red Sox go for their first sweep of the season as they hand the ball to Tim Wakefield (0-1, 6.38 ERA), who will try to avoid struggling in a third straight start. The 43-year-old knuckleballer gave up six runs and walked five in a 7-6 win over Texas on Tuesday after being reached for six runs in 5 1-3 innings versus the Twins in his previous outing.

If the Orioles can get baserunners, they may be able to take advantage of Wakefield, who was burned by the Rangers for nine stolen bases. The right-hander is 15-13 in his career against the Orioles, whom he has not faced since 2008.

Baltimore will counter with the struggling David Hernandez (0-3, 4.67), who will try to avoid losing his ninth straight start.

The Orioles have lost 12 consecutive games started by Hernandez, who has been charged with nine losses since defeating Oakland on Aug. 11. He pitched 6 1-3 innings against Seattle on Tuesday, giving up three runs and seven hits in a 3-1 loss.

The right-hander is 1-2 with a 5.40 ERA against the Red Sox. Dustin Pedroia is 3 for 11 against Hernandez, but all of those hits are home runs.