Hard Laboring Byrd Labors on Labor Day

He certainly wasn't in his best form but then again, neither was the other guy. Last night, during a night game between Boston and Baltimore, Paul Byrd earned a big W for himself after seven hard battled innings, while Baltimore pitcher Garrett Olson picked up the loss in a 7-4 defeat. Between the two starting pitchers five home runs were allowed, three by Byrd. But Byrd was persistent and didn't allow a few dingers to put him off his game. Plus, a little assistance from his offense, including back-to-back homers in the second and a four-run sixth inning, never hurts. Byrd didn't pitch brilliantly but he did manage to pitch his way out of trouble numerous times, most importantly in the sixth when two runners were in scoring position and Byrd forced a pop out. After the sox took the lead in the sixth Byrd never let go of it. The Red Sox will face the Orioles again tonight at 7:05 ET in the second game of a three game series. Jon Lester will face Radhames Liz of the Orioles.