Well, the Red Sox stint at .500 was short-lived as they lost to the Orioles 4-1 last night in a classic pitcher’s duel. Felix Doubront was sharp holding the first place O’s to just four hits and two runs over six innings. He struck out a season-high nine batters and whiffed Robert Andino and Adam Jones both three times.

Unfortunately, O’s pitcher Brian Matusz was even better, holding the usually high-powered Sox offense to just two hits while striking out 12.

Kevin Youkilis was back in the line up, playing first base while Adrian Gonzalez moved out to right field to help a injury-riddled outfield. He hit a home run in the fourth inning to account for the lone Sox run. Gonzalez had the other hit. *yawn*

Now that Youk is back, you have to wonder what going to happen. It would be silly to send Will Middlebrooks back to Pawtucket after he’s done so well in the bigs. But you can’t ask Adrian Gonzalez to continue to patrol right field — especially in Fenway Park. That corner will eat him alive. So what? Speculation is that the Sox are trying to get Youk some quality at bats to show he doesn’t suck and hopefully trade him. They really could use some more help in the outfield…

Speaking of the outfield, Ryan Sweeney was placed on the seven-day disabled list with a concussion. And Cody Ross was officially put on the 15-day DL but hopes he won’t be out the 6-8 weeks originally predicted. So right now the four top outfielders are sidelined: Jacoby Ellsbury, Carl Crawford, Cody Ross and Ryan Sweeney. Three of the four will most likely not see any playing time until July. Darnell McDonald, Ryan Kalish and Jason Repko are also out. The Sox called up Scott Podsednik from Pawtucket to fill some shoes. June could be very interesting…

Take a gander at the very slim box score courtesy of the Red Sox. The Sox and O’s finish up the series playing the rubber match this afternoon at 12:35pm. Daniel Bard (3-5, 4.85 ERA) will take on Jake Arrieta (2-4, 4.72 ERA). This game will be a good test for Bard and his ability to bounce back after a tough outing against the Phillies.

The Red Sox finally won a game last night, snapping their five-game losing streak and hopefully ending their early-season free fall.  Boston traveled to Minnesota and beat the Twins, 6-5.  The game wasn’t pretty – the Sox trailed for most of it, and there was a moment where it looked as if the Twins would win on a walkoff – but it worked out, and nobody got hurt, and everyone still has their job.  These days, I’ll take it.

Cody Ross (credit: Amanda Laws)

Jon Lester started the game for Boston and went seven innings.  He gave up five runs, walked four, and struck out four.  Not the textbook quality start, but the eventual no-decision kept Boston in the game long enough for the Red Sox to score five runs of their own.  Jarrod Saltalamacchia – Jarrod Saltalamacchia! – hit a two-run home run in the second inning to give Boston an early lead, and then Cody Ross hit a two-run shot in the seventh that landed in the upper deck.  The Boston bats came alive a little bit – everyone except for Adrian Gonzalez and, ahem, Kevin Youkilis, had at least one hit.  Franklin Morales started the eighth inning but allowed a hit, and yielded to Daniel Bard for the rest of the scoreless eighth.  Alfredo Aceves picked up the save.

The game almost slipped away on a Minnesota walkoff, though.  Ross launched Boston’s go-ahead solo home run in the top of the ninth; but in the bottom of the ninth, the Twins put a runner on first base before Trevor Plouffe hit a powerful shot towards left field.  Ross, though, reeled the ball in on the warning track to put the game away for the Red Sox.

“My heart stopped,” Aceves told the Boston Globe. “I thought it was out.”

So did Bobby Valentine, apparently.  At this point, he’s become used to his bullpen blowing leads, and he gathered his troops on the mound after the Plouffe out.  According to the Globe, he clustered his troops, leaned in, and quietly asked Aceves:

“Are you trying to give me a heart attack?”

Everyone laughed, and the Sox went on to take the win on a ground ball back to Aceves.

“You need all wins but this is another good team-builder,” Valentine said. “Rather than looking for things that went well in spite of the outcome, we can build on things that well because of the outcome.”

Two interesting things about last night’s lineup: first, you’ll notice Marlon Byrd.  The Red Sox acquired Byrd from the Chicago Cubs on Saturday, in exchange for bit pitcher Michael Bowden, a player to be named later, and cash considerations.  Byrd’s 34 years old, and he was in a 3 for 43 slump when he was traded – sadly, that was an improvement for Boston, though, who had relied on Jason Repko and Darnell McDonald to hold down center field in the absence of Jacoby Ellsbury and Carl Crawford.  But his career numbers place his average at .278, which the Red Sox could use.  Interestingly, Byrd’s last trip to Fenway wasn’t a happy one – he was beaned in the left eye by Aceves on May 21, 2011, and didn’t play again until July (to be a fly on the wall during that reunion conversation in the Sox clubhouse…).

Second, Daniel Bard, who was named a starter at the beginning of the season, came out of the bullpen in relief last night.  The organization says this is because his start was skipped during the Sunday night rainout against the Yankees.  It’s kind of a double-edged sword for Bard that he did well last night: the team won, but I’m sure he can’t help but wonder what management thinks of the prospect of him shoring up a tattered bullpen in the long term.  Aaron Cook, the next starter in the wings, was called up to AAA Pawtucket, and although Bard is still scheduled to make his next start against the Chicago White Sox on Friday, the winds may start blowing in interesting directions if the Red Sox – and specifically, the Red Sox bullpen – don’t get on a hot streak before then.

Here’s a link to last night’s box score, courtesy of the Red Sox.  Josh Beckett takes the mound tonight against Nick Blackburn in the 8:10 eastern time start.

See that? I couldn’t even be bothered to mention the Red Sox game against Tampa Bay Rays today. Wanna know why? Because I almost died of boredom just reading the recap. Bobby V. left the starters behind and fielded a team of minor leaguers and back ups to face the Rays. The game was called after nine innings and ended in a 7-7 tie. *yawn*

Even this little guy thought it was a real yawner.

The more exciting news of the day? The Sox will finally be announcing the pitching rotation to start the season on Sunday. I’m literally breathless with anticipation! I mean sure, we know Lester, Beckett and Buccholz are definites, but it’s that elusive #4 and #5 starters that we’re all dying to hear about. My money is on Daniel Bard (despite his dismal performance this spring) and Felix Doubront (who had great spring with a 2.79 ERA in 16.2 innings.)

Alfredo Aceves and Aaron Cook are also in the running but I think Bobby will put Aceves in the bullpen where he helped immensely last year, especially in long relief. Not sure what will happen to Cook. Pawtucket perhaps?

The Sox also have yet to fill the 25th spot on the roster and Valentine claims it will be a position player rather than another pitcher. Utility guys, Pedro Ciriaco (who hit .400 this spring) and Nate Spears, and outfielder Jason Repko are rumored to be in the running. Unfortunately (and wrongly if you ask me), Ryan Lavarnway is not. This makes me sad. Lavarnway has been impressive with the bat, hitting .429 this spring. (For the record, Shoppach is only hitting .250.) I predict he’s going to see some time in Fenway this year, and as usual, he will shine.

Jon Lester finished up his spring workout today pitching in a minor league game. He threw 57 pitches, 41 for strikes, and gave up 3 singles and a walk while striking out 6. He looks ready for Opening Day #2 to me. And it sounds like he is too according to WEEI.com.

“Just the experience of knowing what to expect. I think there’s a learning curve to pitch Opening Day that a lot of peopole don’t understand,” Lester said. “It’s just something you have to experience to get better at. Hopefully this year will go a little better than last year.”

A little? Lester allowed 5 runs (3 home runs) in 5 1/3 innings as the Sox lost to the Texas Rangers 9-5 in the first of 6 losses to open the 2011 season. Yeah… I sort of really don’t want that to happen again this year.

Five more days! Five more days!