(My Sportsbook) - Jon Lester hopes to put two poor starts behind him this afternoon when the Boston Red Sox continue their four-game series with the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park.

Lester, a 16-game winner a year ago, has gotten off to a rough start this season, losing both of his starts, while pitching to a 9.00 earned run average.

In his most recent trip to the hill on Monday in Oakland, Lester was charged with the loss, as he allowed six runs and 10 hits in six innings. He also struck out five without walking a batter.

Facing Baltimore, though, could cure whatever has been ailing Lester, as the left-hander is a perfect 6-0 against the O's with a 2.81 ERA in eight starts.

The Orioles will counter with Japanese right-hander Koji Uehara, who is 2-0, despite a 7.20 ERA. Uehara's offense bailed him out on Monday against the Texas Rangers, as he was hit for seven runs and seven hits in five innings, but still picked up the win in his team's 10-9 triumph.

Uehara, who has never faced the Red Sox, had allowed just a run and five hits over five innings in his big league debut.

Boston moved out of the cellar in the AL East on Saturday, as Kevin Youkilis finished 4-for-5 with a three-run homer and four RBI, helping the Red Sox to a 6-4 win.

Jason Varitek and Mike Lowell each drove in a run for the Red Sox, who have won three in a row.

Josh Beckett (2-1) picked up the win despite allowing six hits and four runs -- three earned -- over six frames, striking out five with four walks. Jonathan Papelbon pitched a scoreless ninth for his fourth save.

Aubrey Huff knocked in two runs and Nick Markakis added an RBI and run scored for the Orioles, who have dropped three straight overall and seven in a row at Fenway.

Adam Eaton (0-2) took the loss, charged with nine hits and six runs in just four frames, which swelled his earned run average to 11.25.

Baltimore's pitchers have allowed an AL-high 24 home runs this season.

Boston won 12 of its 18 matchups with the Orioles last season, including seven of the nine games contested in Beantown, where Baltimore is a paltry 6-23 since the start of the 2006 campaign.

The teams finish the series Monday in the traditional 11:05 a.m. Patriots' Day start.