masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgThe Orioles did not post another shutout, but they did post a pleasing victory over an AL East rival that was desperate for a win.

Luke Scott hit his 26th homer, that’s a new career high and Brian Matusz pitched well again vs. Boston as the Orioles beat the Red Sox 5-2 at Camden Yards Tuesday night in the opening game of a six-game homestand.

Matusz improved to 7-12, 4.72 as he gave up two runs and six hits over six innings plus a batter. When he gave up a two-run homer in the fifth to Jed…The Orioles did not post another shutout, but they did post a pleasing victory over an AL East rival that was desperate for a win.

Luke Scott hit his 26th homer, that’s a new career high and Brian Matusz pitched well again vs. Boston as the Orioles beat the Red Sox 5-2 at Camden Yards Tuesday night in the opening game of a six-game homestand.

Matusz improved to 7-12, 4.72 as he gave up two runs and six hits over six innings plus a batter. When he gave up a two-run homer in the fifth to Jed Lowrie it ended a streak of 30 consecutive shutout innings by the O’s pitching staff dating to the first inning Friday night vs. the Angels.

Buck Showalter meets with the media following the O’s 5-2 win over Boston

Matusz, who walked one and fanned six, improved to 2-0, 2.55 on the year in four starts vs. Boston. Red Sox batters have hit just .200 against him this year.

Matusz has an ERA of 2.43 over his last six starts, all coming this month.

Marco Scutaro’s key throwing error with two outs in the third led to two O’s runs and a 3-0 lead. Lowrie’s blast cut the lead to 3-2.

The O’s got key outs from their bullpen over the seventh and eighth frames to maintain a one-run lead. It stayed that way until Scott and Felix Pie homered off Felix Doubront in the last of the eighth for a 5-2 edge.

Losing pitcher Josh Beckett gave up three runs and seven hits over seven innings, falling to 4-4, 6.27.

The O’s have won four in a row, allowing just three runs in that time. They took the season series lead 7-6 over Boston after going 2-16 vs. the Sox last year.

They ended the month of August with a record of 17-11.

In game two of this series on Wednesday night, it’s Jake Arrieta (4-6, 5.10) vs. Jon Lester (13-8, 3.26). Lester is 12-0, 2.00 in 15 career starts vs. the Orioles.