The Orioles (37-25) maintain their grip on first place, taking two of three on the road in both Boston and Milwaukee, thanks to Cal Ripken Jr.’s hot bat. The 22-year-old shortstop hits a three-run home run off Hall of Famer-to-be Don Sutton in a 3-2 win over the Brewers. The next game, Ripken pokes another three-run shot in an 11-8 comeback victory against Milwaukee’s defending American League champs.

“When you do something like this, it does build a lot of confidence,” says Ripken, whose 11 homers and 40 RBIs lead the team. “I mean, you never want to admit defeat, but when you’re down 7-0, well ... ”

Right-hander Storm Davis, 21 — the only Oriole younger than Ripken — pitches his first complete game of the season, a three-hit, 3-0 victory over the Red Sox. Scott McGregor then wins his fourth straight, a clumsy 10-6 win at Boston. But the Red Sox avert a sweep, beating the Orioles, 7-6, as torrid-hitting Wade Boggs draws a ninth-inning, bases-loaded walk to win it — much to catcher Rick Dempsey’s dismay.

“The whole bleepin’ ball was over the the plate,” Dempsey screams at the umpire.

Also unhappy is Allan Ramirez. The rookie pitcher earns his first big league win at Milwaukee, and is promptly demoted to the minors to make room on the roster for veteran Jim Palmer, who spent seven weeks on the disabled list with various injuries.

mike.klingaman@baltsun.com

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