Bogaerts, Middlebrooks homer vs. Orioles
Duo hits back-to-back home runs in the fourth; Webster allows five runs
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Xander Bogaerts and Will Middlebrooks hit back-to-back homers for the Red Sox in Wednesday afternoon's 5-4 loss against the Orioles.
Both of those home runs were over the JetBlue Park Green Monster and came in the bottom of the fourth inning against righty Miguel Gonzalez.
"I think what we're seeing in the last seven to 10 days is their comfort, timing and confidence in the box really playing out," said Red Sox manager John Farrell.
In five innings of work, Gonzalez gave up seven hits and four runs. He walked two and struck out two.
With Jon Lester pitching in a Minor League game, prospect Allen Webster made the start for Boston. The right-hander gave up 11 hits and five runs over 5 2/3 innings. Webster walked two and struck out three.
Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia went 2-for-2 and exited for a pinch-runner in the third inning. Mike Carp added an RBI single for Boston.
Steve Clevenger, who recently won Baltimore's backup catching job, clubbed a solo homer. Nick Markakis added an RBI double, and Jemile Weeks went 2-for-5 from the leadoff spot.
Up next: John Lackey will make his final tuneup of Spring Training in Thursday's 7:05 p.m. ET contest against the Twins (listen on Gameday Audio). Key relievers Burke Badenhop, Junichi Tazawa, Koji Uehara and Edward Mujica could all see action. Grady Sizemore will play center field for the third straight day.