The momentum from Tuesday's improbable Orioles comeback at Camden Yards undoubtedly had legs for most of Wednesday afternoon.
Key hits were falling in, Boston's ace was falling apart and Brad Bergesen, the Orioles' rookie pitching sensation, was mowing down Red Sox hitters as if they had "Pawtucket" on the front of their uniforms.
Yet, just when it was reasonable to believe these plucky Orioles had stolen two of three from the mighty Red Sox, the home team re-gifted Tuesday's historic victory, presenting it to Boston in the form of a four-run ninth-inning collapse and a 6-5 Red Sox win in 11 innings.
"We had them on the ropes," said Orioles reliever Jim Johnson, who didn't retire either batter he faced while allowing a two-run homer to Kevin Youkilis to ignite Boston's ninth-inning rally. "The momentum kind of carried over from yesterday. We had it, and we just let it go."
Johnson and closer George Sherrill had been charged with just two runs in their previous 40 1/3 innings. They gave up four runs and managed just two outs in Wednesday's ninth.
After Youkilis' homer, Sherrill entered and struck out Jason Bay and David Ortiz. With one more out standing between him and his 14th consecutive converted save opportunity, Sherrill allowed a single and consecutive walks to load the bases. He thought he had struck out Jason Varitek, but umpires ruled Varitek checked his swing on ball four.
"I think Varitek went," said Sherrill, who is 17-for-20 in save chances. "I think everyone knew it but the two guys that mattered. I think it should have been over then.
"With that being said, you need to come back and put it behind you. I wasn't able to do it."
Pinch hitter Rocco Baldelli followed with a two-run single to tie the score. Danys Baez (4-2) induced a bases-loaded pop-up to end the ninth, but after a leadoff double by Jacoby Ellsbury in the 11th, Julio Lugo delivered the eventual game-winning single.
Jonathan Papelbon pitched a perfect inning for his 20th save and sent the roaring Boston fans in the crowd of an announced 29,391 home happy.
"No excuses," said Sherrill, who hadn't given up multiple runs since April 24, a string of 24 appearances.
"Just couldn't do it."
The loss, the Orioles' sixth in seven games against the Red Sox (48-30) this season, sealed Boston's seventh straight series victory over the Orioles (35-43).
"Everybody knows they've got not only a great team, but a great lineup," Orioles infielder Ty Wigginton said.
