Steamrolled

The Red Sox came out firing in Baltimore on Friday night, scoring three runs in the first inning, and didn't let up on the hapless Orioles.

The O's four-game winning streak over the Sox (was that really true?) is now ancient history as the Red Sox blasted Baltimore, 11-0.

Kevin Youkilis hit a three-run homer, and Adrian Beltre and Marco Scutaro also left the yard.

Clay Buchholz dominated all night long, and went the distance in throwing a five-hit shutout. He only had one inning with any problems, and that was the first, when the Orioles put two men on. He struck out two and walked just one. It was Buch's first complete game shutout since he no-hit the Orioles at Fenway in 2007.

It was also Juan Samuel's first game in charge as interim manager of the Orioles. He must be wondering just what kind of mess he's gotten himself into, as the Orioles are now a pathetic 15-40.

Tampa Bay and New York both lost, so now the Red Sox trail the Rays by just 4 games, and the Yankees by 2 for second place. Jon Lester, a lifetime 10-0 versus Baltimore, takes the mound Saturday night at Camden Yards.