Red Sox Over Orioles, 2 to 1

BALTIMORE: 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 - 1 6 0

BOSTON: 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 x - 2 6 0

It was a pleasure to watch the first Sunday morning Boston Red Sox game of the season in my favorite New England sports living bar and at my usual table. Although he was a little late, Andrew arrived to open the bar in time so that the first pitch of the game was seen. And pitching was definitely the theme of the game against the Baltimore Orioles. Both Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester and Orioles pitcher Koji Uehara were effective in their outings, but it was Lester who received more offensive help (even if it wasn't as powerful as in yesterday's game). With the victory today, Boston has won its first home series in Fenway Park of 2009 and will go for the sweep against Baltimore tomorrow.

On another pitching front... The ruling from Josh Beckett's appeal of his six-game suspension has reduced the number of suspended games to five games. Although he wanted the suspension eliminated, Josh agreed to forgo further appeals for the good of the team. Fortunately, the suspension will not have major consequences for Boston. The suspension began today. Basically, Josh will switch starts with Jon Lester - Lester will pitch on Friday (the 24th) and Beckett will pitch on Saturday (the 25th). I do think that, since the umpires at the Angels game had determined that no punishment was required for Josh Beckett, the MLB should have let the matter rest.

=============================================

BALTIMORE: Starting Pitcher: Koji Uehara, Losing Pitcher: Koji Uehara

BOSTON: Starting Pitcher: Jon Lester, Winning Pitcher: Jon Lester (1)

BOSTON: Save: Takashi Saito (1)

=============================================

RED SOX: Wins: 6, Losses: 6 AL East Standings: Toronto, New York, Baltimore, Boston, Tampa Bay

=============================================

Next game: Monday 20 April 2009, 8:05 a.m. PT, Baltimore Orioles, Fenway Park, Justin Masterson