Ramirez extends hit streak to 27 with game-winning single in 10th

Aug 12, 2006, 22:00 GMT

Boston, MA - Manny Ramirez's single in the bottom of the 10th inning extended his hitting streak to 27 games and lifted the Boston Red Sox over the Baltimore Orioles, 8-7, at Fenway Park in the middle contest of a three-game set.

Wily Mo Pena finished a single short of the cycle, going 3-for-4 with three RBI and three runs scored and Doug Mirabelli drove in three runs for the Red Sox, who have won two straight following a five-game skid. Jonathan Papelbon (4-2) got the win after tossing two shutout innings.

Brian Roberts went 2-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored and Jeff Conine doubled and scored twice for the Orioles, who have lost five of their last six games. Bruce Chen (0-7) was saddled with the loss after surrendering the game- winning run without recording an out in the 10th inning.

Tied 7-7 in the bottom of the 10th, Mark Loretta worked a lead-off walk and was replaced with pinch-runner Gabe Kapler. David Ortiz followed with a walk before Ramirez singled home Kapler to extend his career-long hitting streak and seal the 8-7 win.

Baltimore got on the scoreboard in the top of the first. Roberts and Brandon Fahey led off with consecutive singles, the latter of which advanced Roberts to third, and Melvin Mora lifted a sacrifice fly that plated Roberts for a 1-0 lead. Fahey scored on Conine's two-out double for a 2-0 margin.

Boston scratched out a run in the bottom of the second after Pena doubled with two-outs and Mirabelli followed with an RBI single to make it 2-1.

The Orioles established a four-run lead in the top of the fourth. Jay Gibbons led off with a single and Conine walked and both moved up a base on a wild pitch. Nick Markakis doubled to score Gibbons and Chris Widger followed with a base hit that plated Conine and Markakis for a 5-1 advantage.

The Red Sox began to chip away at their deficit in the fifth. Pena led off with a homer and Coco Crisp hit a solo shot with two out to pull within 5-3.

Baltimore regained its four-run cushion in the sixth. Conine walked and Corey Patterson and Markakis stroked back-to-back singles to load the bases with one out. Then, with two outs, Roberts singled to score Conine and Patterson for a 7-3 lead.

Boston, however, tied the game in the home half of the frame. Ramirez walked with one out and Mike Lowell belted a two-out single before Pena tripled to score Ramirez and Lowell to make it 7-5. Mirabelli followed with a two-run homer to tie the game at 7-7.

Game Notes

The Orioles activated pitcher Kris Benson from the 15-day disabled list prior to the game. Benson, who got the start, received a no decision after giving up three runs on six hits with a walk and a strikeout over five innings of work.

Baltimore also optioned pitcher Julio Manon to Triple-A Ottawa to make room for Benson.

The Orioles fell to 1-4 on their nine- game road trip.

The Orioles have lost 34 of their last 51 games on the road.

Thirteen of the Orioles last 19 games have been decided by two runs or less.

The Orioles fell to 15-13 in one-run games this year.

The Orioles have allowed a league-leading 159 home runs this year.

At Fenway Park, the Red Sox are 25-9 since May 25.

Ramirez's streak is the longest by a Boston player since Johnny Damon hit safely in 29- straight games in 2005.

Boston has won 15 of its last 16 games versus Baltimore.

© 2006 The Sports Network