Major League Baseball

Red Sox try for third straight over Orioles

Updated Mar. 5, 2020 12:23 a.m. ET

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BALTIMORE -- The Boston Red Sox sit comfortably atop the American League East and can further distance themselves from the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday night.

Boston dominated the first two matchups of the crucial four-game series, outscoring Baltimore 10-4. The Red Sox lead the fading Orioles by five games, and another victory will likely shift Baltimore's focus solely on retaining one of the two wild-card berths.

"I think there is growing confidence in our clubhouse daily," Red Sox manager John Farrell said. "We've responded to a number of challenges, whether it's on the road or coming from behind to win ball games in the division. Those are key. When you succeed in those, that's a snowball effect that takes place. To balance that out, no one is taking any of that for granted."

Clay Buchholz (7-10, 5.20 ERA) tries to lead the Red Sox to their seventh straight victory. The right-hander was dominant in his last outing against the Yankees, when he picked up the win after allowing two runs on seven hits over six innings.

The Orioles turn to Ubaldo Jimenez (7-11, 5.94 ERA) to gain some much-needed momentum. He has surprisingly been one of Baltimore's best pitchers over the past month. Jimenez was put in the rotation when Chris Tillman went on the disabled list Aug. 24. From there, Jimenez has thrived and helped the playoff push.

In his last outing, Jimenez gave the Orioles bullpen a rest by throwing seven innings in a 5-4 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays. However, Jimenez has struggled against the Red Sox, going 2-5 with a 7.39 ERA in 13 starts.

While Baltimore manager Buck Showalter declined to describe any game as a "must win," his team sorely needs a victory.

"We know how many opportunities there are and there's still an opportunity for us," Showalter said. "They are a good team, like all the teams are at this level, but especially a team having as good of a year as they are. It's one thing to want to do it, as much as our guys want to, but you get a couple pitching performances against us like we've had the last two nights it's a challenge."

The biggest challenge for Jimenez will be containing Red Sox right fielder Mookie Betts, who has pounded Orioles' pitching this season. Betts has hit safely in all eight games at Camden Yards, batting .561 with eight home runs and 15 RBIs over that span.

David Ortiz also dominated the Orioles' pitching staff. On Tuesday, Ortiz got his 36th home run, a three-run shot in the seventh inning, that proved to be the decisive blow in the 5-2 victory.

"This was really huge," Bradley said. "We faced a really good team in Baltimore. To get two wins right away is very vital for us. I think it will help us keep building on our momentum and finish strong."

The 36 homers by Ortiz are the most by any player in his final season, one ahead of Dave Kingman in 1986. Ortiz has six home runs in his past nine games at Camden Yards.

"I'll try to hit a couple more so nobody can reach me," Ortiz said. "It's just a number, man. I'm just trying to help this ballclub. I don't care about personal numbers. I care about winning."

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