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Sloppy Orioles throw away game, fall to Red Sox

May 31, 2008 - 6:19 AM By Rich Dubroff PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

BALTIMORE (Ticker) -- After scoring two runs in the first inning, it took another 12 frames for the Boston Red Sox to cross the plate again.

Mike Lowell's single in the 13th inning plated Manny Ramirez with the go-ahead run as the Red Sox took advantage of sloppy defense by the Baltimore Orioles en route to a 5-2 victory on Friday night.

"After we scored those two (in the first), it took us about four hours to get another," Boston manager Terry Francona said. "That's kind of a losable game. We had chances to lose that game and we didn't."

Ramirez, who was celebrating his 36th birthday and hoping for his 500th career home run, had to settle for scoring the go-ahead run.

With the game tied at 2-2 and one out, Ramirez bounced a grounder to third baseman Melvin Mora, whose throw to first was wild, allowing the Red Sox slugger to advance to second. Lowell then singled to left field off Chad Bradford (2-2) to score Ramirez.

Ramirez was greeted by flash bulbs by many of the thousands of Red Sox fans who invaded Baltimore. He was 1-for-6 and, because the game was tied, was not yanked early for defensive purposes.

"It was awesome," Ramirez said. "I can't play nine, but I can play 13 innings."

Kevin Youkilis followed with an infield single, breaking an 0-for-18 skid, and took part in a double steal with Lowell as Boston stole a club-record six bases on the night. Coco Crisp then hit a grounder to shortstop Freddie Bynum, who threw wildly to first, allowing both runners to score for a 5-2 bulge.

It was Baltimore's third error of the inning and fourth of the game.

"I didn't play good defense," said Mora, who committed two of his team's miscues. "Playing defense is important. When you play more than four hours, you expect to win the game."

Boston's sixth pitcher, Mike Timlin (3-3) threw a scoreless 12th inning to pick up the win. Jonathan Papelbon tossed a perfect 13th to pick up his 15th save in 17 chances.

The Orioles stranded 14 baserunners and struck out 17 times.

"We just didn't get the big hit," Baltimore manager Dave Trembley said.

The Red Sox scored two runs in the first off Daniel Cabrera. Jacoby Ellsbury led off the game with a double and later scored on a single by David Ortiz, who crossed the plate on Lowell's sacrifice fly.

Cabrera allowed two runs and six hits in seven innings, walking two and striking out two.

Baltimore cut the deficit to 2-1 in the second, when Kevin Millar scored on catcher Jason Varitek's throwing error, and Aubrey Huff led off the fourth with his ninth home run of the season to knot the contest.

Boston's Josh Beckett left after a long sixth inning in which he walked three and struck out three. He allowed two runs and four hits with three walks and 10 strikeouts.

The Red Sox had lost five of six entering Friday's contest.

"Sometimes, it's frustrating when you go through spells like that," Beckett said. "I know we're going to hit. I know we're going to play defense. We just have to put it all together."