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Orioles-Red Sox Preview

Sep 20, 2010 - 12:08 AM By NOEY KUPCHAN STATS Writer

Baltimore (58-90) at Boston (82-66), 7:10 p.m. EDT

With time running out on the Boston Red Sox's fading playoff hopes, they probably aren't looking forward to facing Brian Matusz.

Trailing by a wide margin in the AL East race and for the wild card, the Red Sox begin a three-game series Monday night against the Baltimore Orioles, who continue to show major improvement under manager Buck Showalter.

The Red Sox (83-66) defeated Toronto 6-0 on Sunday behind seven sharp innings from ace Jon Lester and home runs from Victor Martinez and J.D. Drew. That combined with losses by New York and Tampa Bay have Boston seven games behind the division-leading Yankees and 6 1/2 in back of the Rays for the wild card.

After going 28-8 against them the previous two seasons, Boston is 8-7 against the Orioles in 2010, and faces a difficult task against Matusz (8-12, 4.68 ERA).

The left-hander is 2-0 with a 2.55 ERA in four career starts versus Boston, and had his best outing against the Red Sox in his last visit to Fenway Park. In a 6-1 victory on July 4, Matusz gave up two hits over seven scoreless innings with a season high-tying eight strikeouts.

"When you're facing a guy like Matusz who can make big pitches in big spots, you've got to take advantage when you have opportunities," shortstop Jed Lowrie told the Red Sox's official website.

He also defeated Boston on Aug. 31 at Camden Yards, giving up two runs and six hits in six innings of a 5-2 win. Matusz knows beating the Red Sox consistently is a tough task.

"It's a tough lineup. Real tough. And I've been able to minimize damage and throw good games," Matusz said. "So yeah, obviously you want to be able to pitch well against teams in your own division."

Matusz is 4-0 with a 1.93 ERA in his last five starts, but the AL rookie of the month for August is coming off his shortest outing of the season.

He was forced from a start against Toronto last Monday with a left triceps contusion after Yunel Escobar hit a line drive off the top of Matusz's throwing arm. He threw a bullpen session Friday and told the Orioles' website he's ready to go.

One player Matusz enjoys facing is David Ortiz. The Red Sox slugger is 0 for 9 with eight strikeouts against Matusz in his career.

The Red Sox will send Daisuke Matsuzaka (9-5, 4.82) to the hill as he tries to snap a stretch in which he has allowed at least four runs in six consecutive outings.

The right-hander has gone 1-2 with a 7.12 ERA over that span with the only victory coming against Baltimore on Sept. 2. He was tagged for four runs and six hits over 5 2-3 innings in the 6-4 triumph, and is 4-2 with a 5.74 ERA over eight starts versus Baltimore in his career.

In two starts since defeating the Orioles, Matsuzaka is 0-1 with a 10.97 ERA. Baltimore second baseman is 8 for 18 (.444) versus Matsuzaka.

The Orioles defeated the Yankees 4-3 in 11 innings Sunday as Ty Wigginton drove in Luke Scott to help the club avoid a third straight loss. Baltimore (59-90) improved to 27-17 since Showalter took over as manager on Aug. 3.

Boston third baseman Adrian Beltre was held out Sunday after injuring his wrist one day after diving for a ball. Beltre, who is second on the club with 28 homers and leads the Red Sox with 98 RBIs, is day-to-day.