By DAVID GINSBURG AP Sports Writer
BALTIMORE (AP) _ Jonathan Villar hit a grand slam, John Means handcuffed Boston's torrid offense over seven innings and the Baltimore Orioles beat the Red Sox 4-1 Monday night. Villar connected in the second inning off Josh Smith (0-1), who was making his first start with Boston. The drive came after Villar was robbed of a first-inning double when a fan reached over the 7-foot wall and interfered with left fielder J.D. Martinez's effort to make a catch. Villar's second career slam was more than enough support for Means (4-3), who allowed one run and three hits, striking out four and walking none. Making his fifth career start and 10th appearance, the lefty shut down a power-laden lineup that scored 30 runs in a three-game weekend sweep of the White Sox. After Paul Fry got two outs in the eighth, Mychal Givens completed the three-hitter to earn his fourth save. Christian Vazquez led off the fifth with a double and scored on a sacrifice fly by Eduardo Nunez for Boston's only run. After winning six of seven, the Red Sox (17-19) were trying to get to .500 for the first time since March 29, when they were 1-1. Boston's streak of six consecutive games with a home run ended. The Red Sox clubbed a dozen long balls in that span and led the majors with 10 in May. Earlier in the day, Boston placed lefty David Price on the 10-day injured list with tendinitis in his pitching elbow. Although the 2012 AL Cy Young Award winner has a history of elbow problems, he insisted, ``This is nothing.'' Smith gave up four runs and five hits in 3 1/3 innings. Signed as a minor league free agent last October, Smith pitched previously for Cincinnati and Oakland. In the second inning, Smith gave up two singles and a walk to load the bases. After notching two straight strikeouts, the right-hander served up a curveball that Villar put well over the center-field wall. STREAK OVER Boston's Mookie Betts went 0 for 4, ending his streak of reaching base in 28 successive games against Baltimore. ... Red Sox DH Rafael Devers' career-high run of reaching base in 19 straight games ended with an 0-for-3 outing. ... Boston was 11-1 in its last 12 games at Camden Yards. TRAINER'S ROOM Red Sox: 2B Dustin Pedroia (knee) will continue his rehab assignment by playing in three straight games for Double-A Portland beginning Tuesday, manager Alex Cora said. ... Utility player Brock Holt (shoulder) could resume his rehabilitation assignment this weekend. He was placed on the IL with a scratched cornea but developed a sore shoulder while playing for Triple-A Pawtucket late last month. Orioles: LHP Richard Bleier (shoulder tendinitis) will pitch for Class A Frederick on Tuesday. ``We're happy with the progress he's making,'' manager Brandon Hyde said. UP NEXT Red Sox: Hector Velazquez (0-2, 3.72 ERA) will start Tuesday night in place of Price. It will be his 11th appearance, the fifth as a starter. Orioles: David Hess (1-4, 5.34) seeks his first win since April 1. He's lost four of his last five starts.
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