Red Sox stage own comeback, beat Orioles 6-5 in 11

[July 02, 2009]  BALTIMORE (AP) -- One day after being victimized by the greatest comeback in Baltimore Orioles history, the Boston Red Sox staged an improbable rally of their own

The Red Sox used a four-run ninth inning to pull even, Julio Lugo singled in the tiebreaking run in the 11th and Jonathan Papelbon became Boston's career saves leader by closing out a 6-5 victory over the Orioles on Wednesday.

Papelbon got three outs in the 11th for his 20th save this season and 133rd with the Red Sox, breaking the team record held by Bob Stanley. Less than 24 hours earlier, Papelbon yielded the key hit in the eighth inning of a game in which Boston blew a 10-1 lead before losing 11-10.

In this one, Red Sox pitchers retired the final 24 batters. Ty Wigginton hit a leadoff homer in the fourth off Josh Beckett to put the Orioles up 5-1, but that would be Baltimore's final baserunner.

Orioles starter Brad Bergesen gave up one run, struck out six, walked none and permitted only two runners past first base in eight innings. He was pulled after 103 pitches and with Baltimore comfortably ahead.

Then came the Boston ninth, when the Red Sox tied it against the Orioles' best two relievers. Kevin Youkilis hit a two-run homer off Jim Johnson before George Sherrill entered and immediately struck out Jason Bay and David Ortiz. Sherrill then allowed a single and two walks to load the bases for pinch-hitter Rocco Baldelli, who grounded a single up the middle to make it 5-5.

In the 11th, Jacoby Ellsbury hit a leadoff double off Danys Baez (4-2) and scored when Lugo bounced a one-out single to left past the drawn up infield.

Ramon Ramirez (5-2) worked the 10th for the Red Sox, who took two of three from Baltimore for their seventh straight series win.

Bay struck out five times and went 0 for 15 in the series.

Wigginton and Scott connected for the Orioles, who were 29-1 when leading after eight innings.

Seeking his 10th win of the season, Beckett ran into a team that scored 10 runs on 13 hits in its final two at-bats Tuesday night. The Orioles immediately resumed the onslaught against Boston's ace, taking the lead after only two batters went to the plate.

Beckett retired the final 12 batters but yielded five runs, six hits and two walks in seven innings.

Baltimore went up 1-0 in the first when Brian Roberts walked, stole second and scored on a single by Felix Pie.

Scott hit his 15th homer on the first pitch of the second inning. Boston closed to 2-1 in the third when J.D. Drew hit a two-out single and scored on a double by Dustin Pedroia, who committed the unforgivable mistake of being thrown out at third trying to stretch the hit into a triple.

Nick Markakis hit an RBI double in the bottom half, and Wigginton homered in the fourth to give Baltimore a four-run cushion.

NOTES: Papelbon has 21 career saves against the Orioles, the most against any team. He is 21 for 22, the exception his lapse Tuesday night. ... Baltimore CF Adam Jones was rested after colliding with the wall Tuesday night. Jones said he was healthy enough to play.

[Associated Press; By DAVID GINSBURG]

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