masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgBOSTON – Wilson Betemit is expected to make his first start tonight with the Orioles facing right-hander John Lackey at Fenway Park.

Betemit replaced Chris Davis at first base last night and had one at-bat, resulting in a ground ball to second that completed a 13-2 loss to the Red Sox.

Betemit is 1-for-8 with a double and three strikeouts lifetime against Lackey.

In a strange twist, left-handers are batting .232 against Lackey this season, while right-handers are batting .275.

Trust me,…BOSTON – Wilson Betemit is expected to make his first start tonight with the Orioles facing right-hander John Lackey at Fenway Park.

Betemit replaced Chris Davis at first base last night and had one at-bat, resulting in a ground ball to second that completed a 13-2 loss to the Red Sox.

Betemit is 1-for-8 with a double and three strikeouts lifetime against Lackey.

In a strange twist, left-handers are batting .232 against Lackey this season, while right-handers are batting .275.

Trust me, Betemit will be hitting from the left side.

Chris Davis is 9-for-23 (.391) with two doubles and a home run lifetime against Lackey. Nick Markakis is 17-for-48 (.354) with three doubles and a triple, and Manny Machado is 4-for-7 with a double and home run.

J.J. Hardy is 2-for-12, but he’ll be back at shortstop tonight. Matt Wieters is 5-for-24, but he’ll be behind the plate. Alexi Casilla is 1-for-11, and he’ll be on the bench.

Bud Norris is 3-0 with a 5.27 ERA in five starts with the Orioles, and they’ve won all five games. However, Norris hasn’t gone more than 5 2/3 innings in his last three outings.

Norris is 0-1 with a 5.25 ERA in two career starts against the Red Sox. He allowed three earned runs in six innings April 28 in his only appearance at Fenway Park.

Stephen Drew is 6-for-12 with two doubles and a triple against Norris.

Note: A reminder that you can participate in “Cal at The Streak Thru Aberdeen 7K Run” benefiting the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation at 6 p.m. on Sept. 6, the anniversary of Cal breaking Lou Gehrig’s consecutive-games record.

Ripken will be on hand to present the awards to the winners – custom-made Louisville Slugger bats.

To register, visit www.CharmCityRun.com.