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Lester, Drew lift Red Sox past O's

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By DAVID GINSBURG The Associated Press

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 30, 2009

BALTIMORE - Jon Lester pitched seven shutout innings, J.D. Drew came within a double of hitting for the cycle, and the Boston Red Sox cruised past the Orioles 4-0.

Jonathan Papelbon got the final out with two on to earn his 132nd career save, tying Bob Stanley for the most in Red Sox history. Papelbon has 19 saves this season in 20 opportunities.

Lester (7-6) gave up five hits, struck out eight and walked none. The left-hander allowed only one runner past first base, but even then he proved to be overpowering: In the fifth inning, despite yielding a pair of two-out singles, Lester struck out the side.

Lester is 8-0 with a 2.18 ERA against Baltimore in 10 career starts. The only other pitcher to win his first eight decisions against the Orioles was Todd Stottlemyre (1988-93).

Drew tripled and scored in the first inning, hit a two-run homer in the fourth and singled in the sixth. Needing a double in the eighth inning to become the first Red Sox player since John Valentin (1996) to hit for the cycle, Drew grounded out to second.

But that was perhaps the only disappointing moment of the night for the Red Sox, who have won eight straight against Baltimore - including five this season. Boston is 22-9 at Camden Yards since Sept. 23, 2005.

Orioles rookie Jason Berken (1-5) gave up four runs and eight hits, walked two and hit two batters in five innings. The right-hander is winless in six starts since his successful debut against Toronto on May 26.

After going 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position over the first three innings, Boston used a three-run fourth to go up 4-0. Jacoby Ellsbury was hit by a pitch, stole second and scored on a single by Jason Varitek before Drew hit a drive into the center-field bleachers.

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