Hernandez throws 5 scoreless innings, carries Orioles over Boston and Lackey 6-1

Hernandez outdoes Lackey, Orioles beat Boston 6-1

SARASOTA, Fla. — David Hernandez pitched five scoreless innings in a duel with John Lackey, and the Baltimore Orioles beat the Boston Red Sox 6-1 Saturday.

Hernandez allowed four hits, walked two and struck out six. After Boston loaded the bases with no outs in the fourth, the right-hander struck out Mitch Dening, Marco Scutaro and Josh Reddick.

Hernandez is competing with Chris Tillman and Jason Berken for the fifth spot in Baltimore’s rotation. He lowered his ERA to 3.00.

Lackey extended his run of scoreless innings this spring to 13 before yielding run-scoring singles to Cesar Izturis and Felix Pie in the fifth. He concluded his performance with a perfect sixth.

Boston left fielder Jeremy Hermida left with right hamstring tightness.