Cook not the answer as Sox lose again

The Red Sox dropped their fourth straight game, losing to the Orioles, 8-2, Saturday afternoon at Fenway Park. The defeat puts the Red Sox at 11-15.

Taking the loss was Sox starter Aaron Cook, who allowed seven runs on eight hits over 2 2/3 innings. Most of the damage against Cook came via seven runs in the third inning, all of which were scored with two outs. 

The pivotal third inning came after Cook suffered a significant cut in his right knee in the previous frame covering home on a passed ball by catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia. The pitcher, who was cleated by Orioles' baserunner Chris Davis on what was the visitors' first run, went to the dugout briefly to have the knee tended to while reliever Clayton Mortensen jogged in from the bullpen. Cook would stay in the game.

Keying the offensive attack for the Orioles were Adam Jones, who launched a three-run homer against Cook, and Mark Reynolds. Reynolds greeted Cook's replacement, Clayton Mortensen, with a two-run blast, capping the starter's line. Mortensen actually settled down to pitch his second straight solid outing, allowing just the one run on two hits over 3 1/3 innings, striking out five and not walking a batter.

Earning the win was Baltimore starting pitcher Jason Hammel, who gave up two runs -- coming on RBI base-hits from Ryan Sweeney and Cody Ross in the seventh inning -- on four hits while striking out eight over 6 2/3 innings.

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