Orioles trying to score and avoid sweep

BOSTON - The Orioles haven't scored in the last 19 innings, never a good idea when desperately clinging to your playoff hopes. It's like waiting for a bus and then motioning to the driver, "That's OK, I'll get the next one." You're never going to reach your destination.

The Orioles hadn't been shut out in consecutive games by the same team since the Angels blanked them on July 7-8, 2012. They were unbeaten in their last five series, going 4-0-1, but their only possible accomplishment today is avoiding a demoralizing three-game sweep by a last-place team at Fenway Park.

Chris Davis broke his own club record yesterday for strikeouts in a season with his 200th to end the top of the first inning. He added No. 201 later in the game. But on the positive side, he wasn't robbed of another home run.

Davis has been denied five times this season, the most recent Friday night when Mookie Betts almost flipped over the right field fence to haul in a long drive and end the game.

"I don't think I've seen five in one year," said manager Buck Showalter. "I think the most impressive thing about the play was not going over, and pulling himself back."

Craig Breslow, 35, became the oldest player in the American League to make his first career start since Orioles left-hander Daniel Boone in Game 2 of a Sept. 30, 1990 doubleheader in Cleveland.

Boone, now 61, posted a 2.79 ERA in four games with the Orioles, the first three in relief. He hadn't pitched in the majors since 1982 with the Padres and Astros.

Boone, listed at 5-foot-8 and 150 pounds, allowed three runs and eight hits over 4 2/3 innings in a 7-3 loss to the Indians. He was relieved by Dorn Taylor, who also played third base in "Major League." Or maybe he was the catcher. I get confused.

John Mitchell and one of the Mike Smiths also pitched in that game (there was Mississippi and Texas, as you may recall.) The Indians used Charles Nagy, Steve Olin and future Oriole Doug Jones.

Catcher Mickey Tettleton hit his 14th home run before Juan Bell pinch-ran for him later in the game and current Athletics manager Bob Melvin took over behind the plate.

And that completes our trip down memory lane. I hope you took lots of photos.

Ubaldo Jimenez is going for his 13th win today. The season still presents opportunities for personal gains.

Jimenez has won his last three decisions. He's 3-0 with a 3.04 ERA in four starts this month.

Jimenez has thrown 171 innings this season, trailing only Wei-Yin Chen's 185 1/3 for the staff lead. He's 1-0 with a 4.61 ERA in three starts against the Red Sox this season and 1-0 with a 3.12 ERA in two starts at Fenway Park, including the ejection game.

For his career, Jimenez is 2-3 with a 7.96 ERA in 10 starts against the Red Sox and 1-1 with a 6.95 ERA in five starts in Boston. Pablo Sandoval is 14-for-39 with two doubles, a triple and two home runs, but he's shut down with a case of pneumonia.

Dustin Pedroia is 9-for-26 with two doubles, Mookie Betts is 4-for-9 with a double and David Ortiz is 2-for-18 with six walks.

Jimenez is 6-2 with a 3.62 ERA in 12 starts at home this season and 6-7 with a 4.58 ERA in 18 starts on the road.

Red Sox rookie left-hander Henry Owens shut out the Orioles on six hits over 7 2/3 innings on Sept. 16. Left-handers are batting .306 against him and right-handers are hitting .214. Those are reverse splits.

J.J. Hardy is batting .333 (5-for-15) when batting ninth in the order. He's hitting .210 (79-for-376) everywhere else.