Boston Blasts Baltimore, 6 to 5

BOSTON: 0 1 2 0 1 0 2 0 0 - 6 11 2

BALTIMORE: 0 0 3 0 0 2 0 0 0 - 5 9 0

Well, it may not have been the most skillful of pitching starts (only one 1-2-3 inning out of the six innings pitched), but Boston Red Sox pitcher John Smoltz doubled his win total to two today. It was a good hitting start to this three-game series against the Baltimore Orioles with three Red Sox homeruns, but the Boston defense made two errors, one of which resulted in a Baltimore run. Boston has made errors in four out of the last five games. However, Papelbon managed not to be scary today and had a rare 1-2-3 ninth inning and obtained the save. This is Boston's second win in a row and tomorrow, in Oriole Park, they will go for the series win.

Farewell Adam LaRoche, we never really got to know you! After spending a week with the Boston Red Sox, first baseman Adam was traded today to the Atlanta Braves for first baseman Casey Kotchman. In his first appearance in his short-lived tenure with Boston, LaRoche had a homerun. Also today, Boston acquired catcher Victor Martinez from the Cleveland Indians in a trade which included a couple of minor leaguers and pitcher Justin Masterson. I can't believe that Boston gave up Justin Masterson. Trading Masterson to the Indians will come back to hurt Boston. Sorry to see you leave Justin! Both Kotchman and Martinez will join the Red Sox in Baltimore tomorrow.

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BOSTON: Starting Pitcher: John Smoltz, Winning Pitcher: John Smoltz (2)

BALTIMORE: Starting Pitcher: Jeremy Guthrie, Losing Pitcher: Jeremy Guthrie

BOSTON: Save: Jonathan Papelbon (27)

BOSTON: Homeruns: David Ortiz (15), Jacoby Ellsbury (6), Kevin Youkilis (18)

BALTIMORE: Homeruns: Nolan Reimold, Aubrey Huff

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RED SOX: Wins: 60, Losses: 42, AL East Standings: New York, Boston, Tampa Bay, Toronto, Baltimore

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Next game: Saturday 1 August 2009, 4:05 p.m. PT, Baltimore Orioles, Oriole Park, Josh Beckett