masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgI tried listening to the Orioles game on my ride home from Harry Grove Stadium, but I kept losing the signal.

I heard enough to know that first baseman Derrek Lee left the game with a strained left oblique, which a team spokesman confirmed in a quick phone call to the Fenway Park press box. The Orioles are listing him as day-to-day.

I’ve been asked on Twitter about the severity of the injury. It just happened a few innings ago and I was in Frederick, so a definite answer isn’t coming…I tried listening to the Orioles game on my ride home from Harry Grove Stadium, but I kept losing the signal.

I heard enough to know that first baseman Derrek Lee left the game with a strained left oblique, which a team spokesman confirmed in a quick phone call to the Fenway Park press box. The Orioles are listing him as day-to-day.

I’ve been asked on Twitter about the severity of the injury. It just happened a few innings ago and I was in Frederick, so a definite answer isn’t coming tonight.

Let’s hope it’s not as bad as the strain that forced shortstop J.J. Hardy on the disabled list.

How did it happen? Could have been on a swing or a lunging grab in the field. No definite answer on that one, either.

Chris TIllman has blanked the Red Sox on five hits in five innings, but he had to convince head athletic trainer Richie Bancells, manager Buck Showalter and pitching coach Mark Connor that he was fine after they rushed to the mound with two outs in the fifth.

Tillman induced a fly ball to right field and ran to back up third base. No idea what happened.

Jake Fox, who replaced Lee, made a leaping catch to rob David Ortiz, end the fifth and keep Tillman’s shutout intact.

Luke Scott has drawn a career-high four walks.

The Red Sox placed tomorrow night’s scheduled starter, John Lackey, on the disabled list. No replacement has been named, but knuckleballer Tim Wakefield is a strong possibility. He doesn’t need much rest or advance notice.

Oh yeah, the Orioles lead, 6-0, on Adam Jones’ run-scoring single in the sixth.