At Fenway Park, Boston

Day Time TV Starters

Tonight 7: 05 HTS Mike Mussina (12-4, 3.57) vs. Bret Saberhagen (6-3, 2.81)

Tomorrow 7: 05 HTS Scott Erickson (5-8, 5.70) vs. Mark Portugal (5-7, 5.42)

Radio: All games on WBAL (1090 AM) and WTOP (1500 AM)

Red Sox update

If the season ended today, Boston would be the AL's wild-card team. The Orioles can use this abbreviated series to reduce the 11 games they were behind in the loss column. The Red Sox took two of three last month at Camden Yards, winning the last two behind Saberhagen and Portugal. Saberhagen didn't allow a run in 5 1/3 innings. Portugal out-dueled Mussina, limiting the Orioles to one run in seven innings. Mussina took the loss despite going the distance and giving up only two runs, walking none and striking out 10. At least the Orioles will miss All-Star MVP Pedro Martinez, whose shoulder problems are a source of great concern in Boston. The Red Sox are 30-19 at Fenway. They also have shortstop Nomar Garciaparra back in the lineup after a strained groin had kept him out of nine games leading into the All-Star break. He went 0-for-4 in last night's 7-1 win over Florida to drop his average to .349.