(Sports Network) - John Smoltz makes his Fenway Park debut for the Boston Red Sox this evening, when they open a three-game series with the Oakland Athletics.

After getting hit hard by the Washington Nationals in his season debut on June 25, Smoltz -- who missed most of last season due to shoulder surgery -- was on the money in his second start Tuesday in Baltimore, as the Orioles managed just a run and three hits in four innings off of him before a 71-minute rain delay cut his outing short.

Smoltz, who signed a one-year deal with the Red Sox this offseason after spending the last 20 years in the Atlanta Braves organization, has not won since beating the Florida Marlins back on April 17, 2008.

The 42-year-old right-hander beat the A's in his only other start against them back in 2005.

Boston salvaged the finale of its three-game series with the Seattle Mariners over the weekend, as David Ortiz went 2-for-4 with a solo homer and two runs batted in and the Red Sox scored five times in the seventh inning to pick up an 8-4 win on Sunday.

Dustin Pedroia, who was voted as the AL starter at second base for this year's All-Star Game, finished with three hits -- including a solo homer -- for the Red Sox, who have split their last six games.

Jon Lester went 6 2/3 innings but did not figure in the decision. The Boston left-hander gave up four runs -- one earned -- on eight hits while striking out nine and walking three. Justin Masterson (3-2) picked up the win after tossing 1 1/3 innings of perfect relief.

Oakland also avoided a sweep on Sunday, as Gio Gonzalez allowed just two runs in six strong innings to earn his first win of the season, helping the Athletics to a 5-2 win over the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field.

Gonzalez (1-2) allowed six hits and one walk while striking out a career-high eight as the Athletics won for only the third time in their last 11 games. Orlando Cabrera drilled a solo homer, while Matt Holliday, Adam Kennedy and Kurt Suzuki each had an RBI in the victory.

"We had great calling behind the dish," Gonzalez said. "(They) did a great job behind the dish keeping (the Indians) off the fastball, off the curveball, just mixing it up in there. It was really nice today. And especially with the defense -- the first out of the game was laying out by Jack Cust -- so that just shows a lot (that) these guys want to win today."

Oakland closer Andrew Bailey notched his ninth save of the season on the same day that he was named to the AL All-Star team.

The win also snapped the A's six-game losing streak to Cleveland, dating back to last season.

Hoping to keep Oakland in the win column this evening will be 21-year-old lefty Brett Anderson, who is 4-7 with a 5.45 ERA. Anderson picked up a win in his last start last Monday against Detroit, as he held them to a run and four hits in 5 1/3 innings.

Anderson lost his only other start to the Red Sox back on April 15 despite allowing just two runs in seven frames.

Oakland took two of three from the Red Sox earlier in the season, but Boston on six of the 10 matchups between the teams a year ago.