FRUSTRATION

For the second consecutive game the Red Sox built a three-run lead in the top of the first inning. And for the second consecutive game they couldn't make it hold up. This time it came with their staff ace on the mound. Baltimore collected 11 hits off Josh Beckett to erase their early deficit and went on to post a 5-4 victory over the Red Sox, who stranded 10 runners on base and were a mere 2 for 11 with runners in scoring position. Boston has now lost four of five games.

Tormenting the Red Sox and Beckett was Baltimore's Luke Scott. The Orioles designated hitter this evening was mired in a 7 for 55 slump at the plate. Against Beckett he managed to bang out three hits including a three-run homer that put the home team up 5-3. Beckett was 4-0 in his career at Camden Yards with a 2.05 era. He was charged with all five runs the Orioles scored. Beckett is now 4-3 on the season.

Alex Cora drove in a run with a single in the eighth inning to pull the Red Sox to within a run. However, closer George Sherrill got the last four outs for his 14th save of the season.

This 10-game road trip started with such promise for the Red Sox. They took three of four games against Detroit and split the first two games of a four-game set in Minnesota. But the bottom dropped out with two losses in a row to the Twins. Tomorrow the Red Sox can earn a 5-5 mark with a win against Baltimore before heading home for a seven game stay at Fenway Park. That would be a nice step towards getting this ship back on course.