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Red Sox, Orioles look to end losing streaks

Aug 31, 2007 - 10:10 PM Baltimore (58-74) at Boston (80-54) 7:05 pm EDT

BOSTON (Ticker) - The Boston Red Sox and the Baltimore Orioles are looking to end losing streaks when they face off in a three game series beginning on Friday.

The Red Sox return home for six games after being swept by the New York Yankees in a three-game set at Yankee Stadium. Boston, which will be without the services of slugger Manny Ramirez for 7-10 days after straining a left oblique muscle on Tuesday, holds a five game lead over the Yankees (75-59) in the American League East.

The Orioles have lost their last nine games and ended a 10-game homestand with an 8-6 loss to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on Thursday. During its losing streak, Baltimore has held the lead in seven of the nine losses.

Julian Tavarez (7-9, 4.84 ERA) will start for Boston in place of knuckleballer Tim Wakefield, who was scratched with a sore lower back. Tavarez originally was slated to start Saturday's game.

In 15 career games against Baltimore, including four starts, Tavarez is 2-3 with a 4.80 ERA. The righthander last faced the Orioles on August 1, allowing three runs and seven hits in five innings.

Tavarez will be making his third consecutive start following a stint in the bullpen. In his last outing on Sunday, he limited the Chicago White Sox to one run and two hits while striking out seven in six innings of an 11-1 victory.

Rookie Radhames Liz (0-1, 7.50) will look for his first major league win when he takes the mound for the Orioles. Liz surrendered five runs on four hits over six innings in his debut.

The 24-year-old righthander struck out five and walked three as the Minnesota Twins beat the Orioles, 8-1, on Saturday.