The Red Sox finished off a four-game sweep of the Orioles on Sunday, 8-6, in a game where incompetent umpiring reared its ugly head once again.
Home plate ump Greg Gibson tossed out rookie starter Kyle Weiland and Terry Francona after Weiland hit Vladimir Guerrero in the fifth inning after both benches were warned shortly before. But there was no ill intent on Weiland's part, but the ump got it all wrong. Again, the umpiring in MLB continues to deteriorate. (Michael Gonzalez of the O's was also tossed with manager Buck Showalter after throwing a pitch behind David Ortiz in the 7th inning. That was clearly a message from Showalter, as no one on the Baltimore bench was the least bit upset with the dismissals.)
Weiland was brought up for just one start, and allowed all six Baltimore runs. Alfredo Aceves came on and retired the next nine hitters to earn the win.
The Red Sox came from 6-2 down in the second inning, scoring four runs on home runs by Marco Scutaro, Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis.
The Sox added runs in the fourth and seventh innings, and Jonathan Papelbon earned save number 20.
The Red Sox hit the break at 55-35, and a one-game lead in the AL East. They are 53-25 since starting the year at 2-10. They are on a pace to win 99 games.
Amazing. Enjoy the break, everyone.
