Orioles 7, Red Sox 3
By Marc Carig
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, July 13, 2008
BOSTON -- Reprinted from yesterday's late editions
Because of what happened here little more than 10 months ago, the blizzard of chatter that hung over the Baltimore Orioles' 7-3 victory against the Boston Red Sox on Friday centered on the young right-hander who stood on the mound at the beginning of the game.
It was from this same spot on Sept. 1, 2007, that pitcher Clay Buchholz became the first Red Sox rookie to throw a no-hitter, baffling the then-hapless Orioles with an array of well-placed fastballs and sharp curveballs. Five days later, Buchholz faced the Orioles again, this time as a reliever. And the result was much the same, with the talented right-hander allowing just one hit in three innings. The Orioles' 25-man roster came into Fenway Park on Friday 0 for 19 against Buchholz.
But as Orioles Manager Dave Trembley has taken to saying plenty of times this season, that no-hitter took place last year. And lots of things can change in that time span, which the Orioles proved once again.
The Orioles ended a season-long five-game losing streak Friday thanks to one of left-hander Brian Burres's strongest efforts, Brian Roberts's 3-for-5 night and two RBI apiece from Melvin Mora and Brandon Fahey.
"We needed a win, period," Roberts said of winning at one of baseball's toughest home fields. "I didn't matter where we were today. It wasn't do or die but we certainly wanted to get back on the right track. This isn't the easiest place to do that so it was a good win for us tonight."
One night after they combined to allow four runs in the final two innings while blowing what should have been a victory over Toronto, setup man Jim Johnson and closer George Sherrill combined to shut down the Red Sox over the final two innings, adding to the theme of redemption.
"It's a tough place to play," said Sherrill, who survived an error by Fahey in the bottom of the ninth to record his 28th save. "Anytime you come in here and get a win it feels good, but especially coming off five straight or whatever. It feels a little better."
Said Trembley, "We felt like we were going to win."
But the biggest demon slain had to do with Buchholz, whom the Orioles rattled early on.
Since his no-hitter, Buchholz has struggled to consistently replicate his success. He labored so badly this season that he remained in the minors after a rehab stint to recapture his effectiveness.
In his first major league start since May 12, it was apparent right away that while Buchholz wasn't the wreck he had been at times earlier this year, he wasn't the dominant force of last September either.
Roberts, the first batter of the game, doubled to left, quickly ending any promise of a no-hitter. After Roberts stole third base, Adam Jones drove him home with a sacrifice fly to center, thus robbing Buchholz the possibility of even a shutout.
"That was a long time ago," Roberts said. "It's over and done with."
Even more important for the Orioles was the way Burres managed to bump Buchholz from the spotlight. He appeared physically stronger than in his last two starts, when he was still dealing the lingering effects of a stomach virus. And it showed in the results: Burres surrendered just three runs in 6 1/3 innings against the potent Red Sox lineup.
"He pitched with a lot more conviction," Trembley said. "He attacked the hitters with much more authority."
Burres, who has been tentative at times this season, showed his aggressiveness against the Red Sox. He challenged hitters with his fastball and consistently got ahead in counts.
"You really have to keep that in the forefront of your thoughts. You've got to stay really focused on strike one, and when you get ahead, you can't give in. You have to throw your pitch."
Outside of Fahey's late error, Burres got the benefit of a stellar defensive performance, which included several strong plays from Mora at third base. By comparison, Buchholz lasted just five innings. All of it added up for some closure for the Orioles.
"I don't remember last September 1," Trembley said. We don't talk about that anymore."
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