masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgBOSTON – Ryan Flaherty is starting at second base today. Robert Andino is on the bench after being hit on the batting helmet by a 94 mph fastball last night.

Jim Thome returns to the lineup as the designated hitter, with Chris Davis moving to right field.

For the Orioles:
Nate McLouth LF
J.J. Hardy SS
Adam Jones CF
Matt Wieters C
Jim Thome DH
Mark Reynolds 1B
Chris Davis RF
Manny Machado 3B
Ryan Flaherty 2B

Randy Wolf LHP

For the Red Sox:
Pedro Ciriaco DH
Dustin Pedroia 2B
Cody Ross RF
Ryan…BOSTON – Ryan Flaherty is starting at second base today. Robert Andino is on the bench after being hit on the batting helmet by a 94 mph fastball last night.

Jim Thome returns to the lineup as the designated hitter, with Chris Davis moving to right field.

For the Orioles:
Nate McLouth LF
J.J. Hardy SS
Adam Jones CF
Matt Wieters C
Jim Thome DH
Mark Reynolds 1B
Chris Davis RF
Manny Machado 3B
Ryan Flaherty 2B

Randy Wolf LHP

For the Red Sox:
Pedro Ciriaco DH
Dustin Pedroia 2B
Cody Ross RF
Ryan Lavarnway C
Mauro Gomez 1B
Mike Aviles SS
Danny Valencia 3B
Daniel Nava LF
Scott Podsednik CF

Aaron Cook RHP

In 10 games against the Red Sox this season, Reynolds is batting .441 (15-for-34) with four doubles, five homers, 15 RBIs, a .545 on-base percentage, a 1.000 slugging percentage, eight walks and eight runs scored.

The Orioles and Yankees have been within one game of each other for last 19 days. According to Elias, it’s the longest September stretch for first and second place teams since 1951.

The Orioles have won 31 of their last 44 games. They have 44 road wins this year, 14 more than their total in 2011 (30) and their most since 1997, when they won 52. They have five road games left counting today. The 44 road wins are the most in the American League.

The Orioles are 28-14 in day games (12-8 at home, 16-6 on the road). Their .667 winning percentage is the best in the AL and second in the majors behind Cincinnati (36-17, .679).

The Orioles haven’t made an error in the last 112 innings, their longest streak since they went 114 errorless innings from June 27-July 11, 2003.

The Orioles are 42-31 in three Septembers under manager Buck Showalter.