Baltimore, MD (Sports Network) - Ty Wigginton doubled home Nick Markakis with the winning run in the bottom of the 10th inning, as the Baltimore Orioles completed a three-game sweep of the Boston Red Sox with a 3-2 victory at Camden Yards.
Orioles Complete Sweep Of Red Sox With 3-2 Extra Inning Victory
Markakis started the winning rally with a walk off Boston closer Jonathan Papelbon (1-2), who was in his second inning of work. Markakis advanced to second on an errant pickoff attempt and scored easily on Wigginton's drive to the gap in left-center field.
Markakis had two hits and two runs scored for the Orioles, who entered the series with just four wins in their first 22 games. Nolan Reimold and Rhyne Hughes also drove in runs for Baltimore, which was just 2-16 against Boston last year.
Jason Varitek and J.D. Drew each hit solo homers in defeat. The Red Sox had won two of three against the Orioles last weekend at Fenway Park and swept three games in Toronto heading into Baltimore.
Both starters were excellent. Boston's Josh Beckett surrendered just two runs on six hits with six strikeouts and no walks in seven innings. Kevin Millwood went eight innings for Baltimore and was charged with two runs on five hits with four walks and four strikeouts.
Matt Albers (2-3) picked up the win for the Orioles. He gave up a one-out single and a walk in the top of the 10th before getting Marco Scutaro to ground into an inning-ending double play.
The Red Sox had an immediate threat in the first inning when Scutaro led off with a walk and Dustin Pedroia singled. Drew, though, was called out on strikes, Scutaro was caught stealing third and Mike Lowell grounded out.
Baltimore took the lead with two in the fourth after loading the bases on a pair of singles and a hit batsman. Luke Scott went down swinging for the first out before Reimold knocked in a run with a fielder's choice and Hughes doubled in another.
Boston got one back in the fifth on Varitek’s fifth home run, then tied it in the seventh when Drew led off with his fifth homer.
The Red Sox had a chance to move in front in the eighth after Varitek led off with a walk and took second on a bunt. He tried to score on a two-out single to left field by Pedroia, but was easily gunned down at home by Reimold.
Baltimore had a golden opportunity in the bottom of the inning, loading the bases against Boston reliever Daniel Bard on a pair of singles and a one-out intentional walk. Scott then fanned and Reimold was caught looking at strike three.
Boston played without first baseman Kevin Youkilis, who was scratched from the original starting lineup with a sore groin. Lowell started at first base and went 0-for-4...Pedroia and Drew had two hits apiece for Boston...Adam Jones and Miguel Tejada each had two hits for Baltimore...The Red Sox return home Monday to start a four-game series against the Angels before hosting the Yankees for three next weekend...Baltimore heads to New York on Monday to open a three-game series with the Yankees.
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