Downpour cancels Sox's game vs. O's after two frames

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Monday's game between the Red Sox and Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium was called after the second inning due to inclement weather.

The game started more than an hour after the scheduled 1:05 p.m. ET first pitch, but the steady downpour that soaked Florida's Gulf Coast all morning Monday picked up again in the bottom of the first inning and didn't let up. Finally, after the rain picked up even more, umpires called the game.

Baltimore started reliever Brian Matusz, and he allowed only one hit and a walk in two innings. Steve Lombardozzi, acquired in a trade with the Tigers on Monday morning, was in the Orioles' dugout wearing No. 36.

Red Sox reliever Drake Britton, meanwhile, allowed three hits in two innings of work.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter said prior to the game that Baltimore's pitching staff needed the work, which is why they wanted to get the game in so badly.

"We need to play," Showalter said. "We need to get this pitching in."

Up next: Clay Buchholz will take the ball in Tuesday's 1:05 p.m. ET contest against the Rays in Port Charlotte, Fla. Nearly all of Boston's regulars will be on the trip, including Mike Napoli, Dustin Pedroia, A.J. Pierzynski, Xander Bogaerts, Will Middlebrooks and Daniel Nava. Grady Sizemore will also continue his comeback attempt by getting the start in center. The game will air on MLB.TV.