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Lester, Red Sox face slumping Orioles

Sep 2, 2008 - 12:56 PM Baltimore (63-74) at Boston (80-57), 7:05 pm EDT

BOSTON (Ticker) -- Jon Lester is hoping to remain undefeated against the Baltimore Orioles when the Boston Red Sox play their American League East foes on Tuesday.

Lester (12-5, 3.41 ERA), who has not lost to the Orioles in his career, looks to improve to 3-0 against Baltimore this season and move the Red Sox closer in the AL East race. Boston sits five games behind the Tampa Bay Rays (84-51) in the division.

The 24-year-old lefthander pitched 6 1/3 solid frames in Thursday's 3-2 loss to the New York Yankees, allowing a run and five hits with eight strikeouts during a no decision.

Dustin Pedroia set a new club record for second baseman with his 184th hit of the season as the Red Sox held off the Baltimore Orioles, 7-4, at Fenway Park on Monday.

The record-breaking hit came in the sixth inning and capped a key four-run rally. Pedroia batted .374 and scored 33 runs during 26 games in August.

The rudderless Orioles, who have lost four straight games and nine of their previous 10 contests, will send righthander Radhames Liz (5-3, 6.95) to the mound.

Liz gave up two runs on three hits and five walks with three strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings during Wednesday's 11-3 triumph over the Chicago White Sox.

The Orioles, who no longer have the Tampa Bay Rays to protect them from the basement in the American League East, are primed to finished last in the division for the first time since 1988.