Baltimore 8, Boston 3 (1st game)

BOSTON (AP) -- Few pitchers enjoy facing the Boston Red Sox at

Fenway Park. Rodrigo Lopez is one of them.

Melvin Mora homered twice and drove in four runs, Lopez baffled

Boston again and the Baltimore Orioles beat the Red Sox 8-3 in the

opener of a day-night doubleheader Thursday.

"I like to pitch here," Lopez said as a smile flashed across

his face. "The history of the ballpark and the fans create an

awesome atmosphere."

Miguel Tejada added a two-run shot for Baltimore, which won its

fourth straight for the first time since May 28-31.

The Orioles scored three runs in the first inning with only one

out against rookie Abe Alvarez, making things easier for Lopez.

Eight of his 30 career wins have come against the Red Sox.

Kevin Millar hit a two-run homer, and slow-footed David Ortiz

had two triples for Boston. The Red Sox have lost three consecutive

home games for the first time this season.

"That kid's been tough on us before," Boston manager Terry

Francona said. "But we're going to have to do better. We have the

people to do better."

Lopez (8-6) gave up one run and 10 hits in six innings,

improving to 8-2 in his career against the Red Sox. He is 3-0 with

a 1.06 ERA against them this season.

"He did a pretty good job today," Baltimore manager Lee

Mazzilli said.

Buddy Groom pitched two innings and allowed Millar's homer

before Jorge Julio worked a hitless ninth.

Alvarez (0-1) lost his major league debut after being recalled

from Double-A Portland before the game. He gave up five runs and

eight hits in five innings, with five walks and two strikeouts.

"I don't think you ever know what to expect when you come in

for a debut," Mazzilli said.

Heading into the night game, Boston is a season-high nine games

behind the AL East-leading New York Yankees.

"I still think we're going to win the whole thing and nothing's

ever going to come easy for us," center fielder Johnny Damon said.

Tejada made a splendid play up the middle to end the game on

Bill Mueller's grounder, but sat on the grass for a few minutes

before limping off.

"It was just a cramp," he said as he pointed to his left calf.

The Orioles grabbed a 3-0 lead in the first. Brian Roberts

walked and, after David Newhan struck out, Mora hit an RBI double.

Tejada then homered into the seats above the Green Monster, tying

Ortiz for the AL lead with 87 RBI.

Gabe Kapler's RBI single cut it to 3-1 in the second, but Mora

hit a solo homer into Boston's bullpen in the third.

Jerry Hairston's RBI double made it 5-1 in the fifth, though

Javy Lopez was cut down at the plate on shortstop Nomar

Garciaparra's relay.

Roberts' RBI triple off reliever Mark Malaska made it 6-1 in the

sixth. Millar's homer, his second in two games, cut it to 6-3 in

the eighth.

Mora's second homer made it 8-3 in the ninth. He had three hits

and scored three times.

Baltimore had a runner picked off third, one doubled up at

second when he lost track of the outs and another cut down at the

plate in the first five innings.

Game notes
It was Mora's second career two-homer game. ... Alvarez was

sent back to the minors after the game. Ricky Gutierrez, acquired

Wednesday from the Chicago Cubs for a player to be named or cash,

was activated. ... Ortiz has a career-high three triples. ...

Tejada was doubled off second to end the third when he forgot how

many outs there were on Lopez's popout. ... Several Red Sox players

were laughing before the game when they watched a replay of Manny

Ramirez cutting off Damon's throw on Newhan's inside-the-park homer

in Wednesday's loss. ... The Red Sox signed eighth-round draft pick

RHP Kyle Bono from Central Florida. He'll report to Class-A Lowell.

... Garciaparra was back in the lineup after getting Wednesday off.

... LHP Jimmy Anderson was designated for assignment when Alvarez

was called up. ... Alvarez, at 21 years, 9 months, was the youngest

pitcher to make his debut with the Red Sox since Jeff Sellers on

Sept. 15, 1985. Sellers was five months younger.