Orioles Salvage Game 3 With Walk-Off Win Over Red Sox

After scoring 19 runs in the first two games of the series, the Red Sox could only score 3 in the 11 innings of the final game.

The matchup turned out, surprisingly enough, to be something of a pitchers duel. Neither was particularly impressive, each allowing their share of baserunners, but Brian Matusz managed to limit the damage over 5.2 innings thanks to strikeouts, while Lackey managed to go a full 7. Each allowed 2 runs on the night, leaving it up to two of the most inept bullpens in the league.

In a stark contrast to what we'd seen in the previous two games, though, the Orioles bullpen did not roll over and give away the game. The only run they allowed came in the 9th, as Dustin Pedroia came through with a clutch sacrifice fly to give the Sox a tie and a chance for extra innings. David Hernandez was particularly effective, finishing the game with 2 strong innings, allowing only 1 hit.

The Sox bullpen, on the other hand, was noticeably worse. Manny Delcarmen started off by showing his true colors, walking 2 and giving up a hit while recording only 1 out. He left with an apparent injury, but given his peripherals, it should be no surprise to see him letting guys on base and giving up runs.

Hideki Okajima managed to go 1 scoreless inning, but quickly ran into trouble in the second with a leadoff walk to Cesar Izturis. Julio Lugo bunted the runner over, and after the Sox intentionally walked Miguel Tejada (your guess is as good as mine why), Nick Markakis hit a walk-off single to take the final game of the series.

The Red Sox offense went quiet at the worst times again, only managing 1-hit with a runner in scoring position (ironically, a single that did not actually score the run). Victor Martinez came through in the early innings with a big 2-run shot, but the Sox couldn't score again until the 9th, and then not at all in extra innings.

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