September 1 game

Jon Lester gave up four runs in the first and was shaky over the first two innings, but settled down and retired eleven straight men. Meanwhile, a trio of Red Sox went deep. First, J.D. Drew crushed a solo shot in the fifth to cut the Oriole lead to 5-3. In the sixth, Lester escaped from a bases-loaded jam with his tenth strikeout of the night.

To start the seventh, Marco Scutaro hit a long drive into the seats for a game-tying two run homer. Victor Martinez then hit an RBI double to give the Sox the lead. And after David Ortiz was intentionally walked, Adrian Beltre smashed a three-run bomb over Felix Pie's glove to give Boston a lead they would not relinquish. I think it is awesome that some guys are finally hitting in the clutch. Jonathan Papelbon struck out one in earning his 34th save.

Tonight, the Red Sox and O's meet again for the rubber game of the series. Daisuke Matsuzaka, finally healthy, takes on Brad Bergesen.

Trivia
Lester has given up 4 or more in the first in two of his last three starts.