Hunter can't hold the lead (O's down 8-5)

Tommy Hunter held the Royals to two runs over seven innings in his last start, but he's not as sharp tonight. Hunter has allowed five runs and nine hits in six innings, with no walks and three strikeouts. He's thrown 96 pitches, 65 for strikes. This will be the third time in four outings that Hunter has failed to register a quality start. The Orioles gave him a 5-2 lead, but Boston scored three runs in the sixth, beginning with David Ortiz's home run onto Eutaw St. Ortiz took a big swing, turned around, flipped his bat, turned the rest of the way and began his trot. That's the 62nd ball to land on Eutaw, the 37th by an opponent and the second by Ortiz. He also launched one against Damian Moss on Sept. 9, 2003. When's the last time you thought about Damian Moss? Hunter gave up a home run, double and infield hit before recording an out. Daniel Nava lifted a sacrifice fly, and Hunter balked in the tying run with two outs. No one argued plate umpire Al Porter's call. Kevin Gregg was warming in the bullpen. Matt Wieters just walked. He's still 0-for-20. Down on the farm, Chris Tillman allowed four runs and eight hits in 5 1/3 innings, with two walks, four strikeouts and one wild pitch. He threw 93 pitches, 61 for strikes. Miguel Tejada is 0-for-2. Tonight's attendance: 16,392 Update: Gregg replaced Hunter to start the seventh and gave up a single to Mike Aviles and double to Dustin Pedroia with one out. He walked Ortiz intentionally to load the bases, and Adrian Gonzalez lifted a sacrifice fly to left to give Boston a 6-5 lead. Will Middlebrooks followed with an RBI single to center field. Red Sox 7, Orioles 5. Gregg hadn't allowed a run in his last seven appearances and 9 1/3 innings. ESPN's home run tracker lists the distance on Ortiz's home run at 442 feet. Update II: Troy Patton surrendered a run in the eighth. Not a good night for the Orioles' bullpen, which began the game with the second-lowest ERA in the majors at 2.15. Adam Jones extended his hitting streak to 13 games, tying his career high. He singled off former Orioles left-hander Rich Hill in the bottom of the eighth.