Boston Red Sox defeat Baltimore Orioles, 9-3

BALTIMORE - In the Red Sox clubhouse late yesterday afternoon, the calisthenics of sweeping the Orioles over with, players packed their bags quickly.

Even in their haste to make a flight to Kansas City, they noticed the images flashing on the monitor above David Ortiz’s locker.

The television showed the Mariners pummeling the Yankees, a result that would slash the Red Sox’ deficit in the American League East to five games.

“We haven’t really thought about the Yankees...

Orioles right fielder Nick Markakis is adamant that he has had much tougher stretches in the major leagues, regardless of what the numbers suggest.

Markakis went 0-for-4 in Sunday's 9-3 loss to the Boston Red Sox and finished the second-to-last homestand of the season 2-for-26 with just one RBI, two walks and six strikeouts.

"I'm in a funk right now," said Markakis, whose average dropped to .293. "I think my timing is off a little bit and I'm missing a few pitches. I...

They will not play the Boston Red Sox again in a game with any sort of meaning until late April of next season, giving the Orioles more than seven months to lick their wounds.

The Orioles' final game against their tormentors in 2009 played out like so many before it. The Red Sox pounded an Orioles starting pitcher, secured a seven-run lead and were never threatened in a 9-3 victory Sunday at half-empty Camden Yards, where the only disappointment for the legions of Bosto...