Sox Swept As Stewart Struggles In 6-3 Loss

The Kevin Youkilis trade continues to be relatively unproductive for both sides; Youkilis is batting only .237/.349/.431 since going to Chicago and Zach Stewart has struggled on the hill. Today was no exception as the Orioles battered Stewart early and often in his 2.2 inning outing. Meanwhile, former Angel and Diamondback Joe Saunders was impressive pitching for the Orioles, as he continues to be a force on the Baltimore mound, putting up a 3.62 ERA since coming to Baltimore.

September 30, 2012; Baltimore, MD, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Zach Stewart (47) pitches in the second inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-US PRESSWIRE

However, Saunders didn’t have to do much of anything on the mound considering how well the Orioles lineup hit. They got their first run of the game on just the fourth pitch Stewart threw when Nate McClouth led off the bottom of the first with a home run. The O’s went on to load the bases before scoring once on a double play and again on an RBI single for Jim Thome.

Stewart actually managed to toss a scoreless second inning before the Orioles got back to work in the third inning. J.J. Hardy led off the frame with a solo home run to left– his 22nd of the year. A one out single and stolen base for Adam Jones would lead to another RBI single for Jim Thome. That hit would knock Stewart out of the game after just 2.2 innings; he allowed 7 hits and 5 runs, raising his ERA t0 an unsightly 8.58 mark.

The Red Sox would get themselves a run on a solo home run by Cody Ross to lead off the fourth, not enough to dig much into the lead though. The Orioles would get the run right back in the fifth when Chris Davis went deep for a home run of his own– the 31st on the year. Saunders continued to cruise with that 6-1 lead until the seventh inning, when he ran into a bit of trouble against the Red Sox offense. A one out single for Ryan Lavarnway would set up a couple of runs when Daniel Nava knocked a two-run shot to left. It wouldn’t really be enough to climb back into the game, though, as they would lose.