Erickson the Key in 2-0 Oriole Win

Scott Erickson pitched eight innings of three-hit ball, out-dueling Tom Gordon, and the Baltimore Orioles defeated the Boston Red Sox, 2-0, on Friday night.

Erickson (3-1) learned late Thursday that he would replace scheduled starter Jimmy Key, who had a stiff neck. The right-hander walked one, struck out two and gave up only two runners past second base.

Gordon held Baltimore to one hit through the first five innings and retired nine consecutive before Jeffrey Hammonds singled to left with two outs in the sixth.

Hammonds then stole second, thwarting a pitchout, and scored when Eric Davis lined a single to left. Davis took second on the throw to the plate and came home on a single by Rafael Palmeiro.

Gordon (1-3) gave up two runs, five hits and one walk in seven innings. He struck out two. In his career against the Angels, the curveball specialist is 8-6 with a 2.95 earned-run average, including 2-0 in 1996.

The Red Sox loaded the bases with two outs in the third on a scratch single by John Valentin, an error and a walk, but Erickson got Mo Vaughn to hit a weak grounder to first base.

Valentin is four for 43 over his last 10 games. Boston shortstop Nomar Garciaparra went 0 for 4, ending his 10-game hitting streak.