masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgBOSTON – Last night, the Orioles were burned by a two-out, two-run single by Boston’s Dustin Pedroia in the seventh inning that tied the game. The outcome was decided after pinch-hitting Mike Carp blooped a two-out RBI single into left field in the eighth.

Fast-forward to tonight’s game and the bottom of the second inning, when Orioles starter Chris Tillman gave up a leadoff double to Daniel Nava, retired the next two batters on a strikeout and fly ball, and surrendered an RBI single to…BOSTON – Last night, the Orioles were burned by a two-out, two-run single by Boston’s Dustin Pedroia in the seventh inning that tied the game. The outcome was decided after pinch-hitting Mike Carp blooped a two-out RBI single into left field in the eighth.

Fast-forward to tonight’s game and the bottom of the second inning, when Orioles starter Chris Tillman gave up a leadoff double to Daniel Nava, retired the next two batters on a strikeout and fly ball, and surrendered an RBI single to Stephen Drew that gave the Red Sox a 1-0 lead.

Another two-out hit, another run scored.

Tillman has thrown 39 pitches in two innings. Yes, that’s too many.

Danny Valencia led off the top of the third with a double and was thrown out on Brian Roberts grounder to second. Score it a highly unusual 4-5 fielder’s choice.

The Orioles weren’t done, however. Nate McLouth walked and Manny Machado delivered his 45th double, scoring two runs for a 2-1 lead.

Machado has 45 doubles this season to lead the majors.

McLouth stayed in the game, and the box, after being hit on the right hand by a Jon Lester pitch. Plate umpire Tim McClelland ruled that McLouth was swinging.

The Orioles were 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position in the first two games of the series before Machado doubled.

Adam Jones reached on an infield single for another hit with RISP, but Lester retired the next two batters. Shane Victorino made a nice running catch in right-center field to rob Matt Wieters, save two runs and end the inning.

Down on the farm, Jason Hammel made his first start with Double-A Bowie on his injury-rehab assignment and threw 47 pitches in 2 2/3 scoreless innings. He allowed three hits, walked none, struck out three and hit two batters.

MASNsports.com’s Steve Melewski is in Bowie tonight, so check his blog for more details.

Update: Adam Jones drew a two-out walk in the fifth and scored on Chris Davis’ double off the Green Monster to increase the lead to 3-1.

Davis has 38 doubles, leaving him two shy of becoming the 12th player in baseball history with 40 doubles and 40 homers in the same season.

Danny Valencia is 2-for-2 with two doubles. He’s 9-for-13 with four doubles in his last four games after an 0-for-23 slump.

Valencia began the night batting .309 vs. left-handers and .154 vs. right-handers.

Tillman has five strikeouts in four innings.