G95: Red Sox 3, Orioles 1

Orioles - 010 000 000 - 1  7  0
Red Sox - 000 210 00x - 3  9  1

J.D. Drew snapped an 0-for-24 slide with a single to start the fourth. Mike Lowell followed with a double and Jason Varitek singled to tie the game at 1-1. Jed Lowrie's sacrifice fly gave the Red Sox its first multi-run inning since the 5th inning last Friday and a lead the team did not surrender.

Jonathan Papelbon had a dicey ninth, however, as the Adam Jones and Nick Markakis singled and, after Aubrey Huff was sawed off and popped to short, Nolan Reimold walked to load the bases. Bot bore down and struck out both Luke Scott and Melvin Mora for the win.

Penny (6.1-5-1-0-4, 108) was strong, not allowing more than one hit/baserunner in any inning. The run he allowed was unearned; Reimold singled, stole second, took third when Varitek's throw sailed into center field, and scored on a sac fly. After that single, Penny retired 15 of the next 17 batters. With one out in the seventh, he gave up a double to Reimold (who was 3-for-3 with a walk tonight) and Tito quickly went to the pen.

Dustin Pedroia had three singles and Jason Bay had a single and a walk. Kevin Youkilis had a rough night, striking out swinging three times, although he did draw a walk and score Boston's third run, on Drew's fielder's choice.

The Yankees beat the A's 8-3, so Boston remains 2.5 GB.
Brad Bergesen (3.51, 130 ERA+) / Brad Penny (5.02, 93 ERA+)

The Red Sox are back home, where they have an MLB-best 31-14 record this year, to face the Orioles and A's. It's time to win a game or six.

Adam LaRoche has been activated. Mark Kotsay was placed on waivers this afternoon. If no team claims him within 48 hours, the Red Sox can either release him outright or send him to the minor leagues.

Bergensen makes his second start of the season against the Red Sox. On July 1, he allowed only one run in eight innings, but got a no decision. Down 5-1 with three outs to go, Boston ralled for four runs in the top of the ninth inning -- won 6-5 in 11. Canada Day miracle!

Penny also faced the Orioles earlier this year. On April 17, he lasted only three innings and allowed six hits, five walks, and eight runs. Yet he avoided a loss as Boston rallied from a 7-0 hole and won 10-8.

The Globe's Adam Kilgore looks at some Pitch F/X data on John Smoltz's starts. ... Jason Varitek has allowed 71 stolen bases this season, the most in the majors by a large margin; A.J. Pierzynski of the White Sox is second, with 60. Runners have been successfuly against Tek 91% of the time -- the Rangers were 10-for-10 in stolen base attempts in their three-game sweep earlier this week -- ranking him last in baseball.

Also at 7: A's/Yankees.