Red Sox at Orioles
Heavy rain is in the forecast Tuesday for the Baltimore area, threatening the middle contest of a three-game series between the Boston Red Sox and the hometown Orioles. Much of the East Coast is being plagued by stormy conditions this week and the mid-Atlantic area is experiencing a particularly rainy situation.
There were multiple rain delays during Boston's 5-3 win in the series opener Monday, which gave the Red Sox nine straight victories at Camden Yards. Mitch Moreland homered, Andrew Benintendi drove in two runs and Rick Porcello tossed six scoreless innings for Boston, which has opened up a season-high six-game lead in the American League East. Drew Pomeranz (biceps tendinitis) is scheduled to come off the 10-day disabled list and make the start for the Red Sox opposite righty Yefry Ramirez. The Orioles are 0-4 since trading away All-Star shortstop Manny Machado.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), MASN (Baltimore)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox LH Drew Pomeranz (1-3, 6.81 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Yefry Ramirez (0-3, 3.09)
Pomeranz gave up 14 runs (13 earned) in 12 1/3 innings over his last three starts prior to going on the DL. One of those outings was a loss to Baltimore, which got to the big lefty for five runs over four frames. The 29-year-old Pomeranz has a 1.80 ERA in four career games (two starts) at Camden Yards.
Ramirez struck out seven and yielded two hits over five scoreless innings against Texas in his last start before the All-Star break. The 24-year-old rookie began his career in the majors with 4 1/3 innings of three-run ball versus Boston on June 13. Ramirez is holding opponents to a .224 average and has 24 strikeouts through his first 23 1/3 innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Boston's record for consecutive wins in Baltimore is 10, accomplished during the 1999 and 2000 seasons.
2. Orioles 2B Jonathan Schoop boasts three homers in his last four games.
3. Benintendi has multiple hits in nine of his last 11 contests.