The Boston Red Sox and Orioles wrapped up their series with a doubleheader today. They split the two games, now sitting at 52-49. They hold the final playoff spot in the American League. They’re seven games back of the Rays for first in the American League East.
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Game Recap
Game 1:
The Red Sox came out swinging to start the game and open the scoring. Masataka Yoshida and Ceddanne Rafaela led off with back-to-back singles, then Willson Contreras singled to load the bases when Caleb Durbin singled home two. Jarren Duran would then triple home two more runs as Boston opened up the game with a four-spot to lead 4-0 after one. The Orioles got on the board with a double in the top of the third.
The Red Sox got that run back in the third on a sacrifice fly from Duran that brought home Romy Gonzalez. The Orioles would get a solo home run in the fourth to make it 5-2. In the home half of the fourth, Rafaela hit a solo home run. The Orioles got a run back in the sixth to make it 6-3. The Red Sox would pick up a win and tie the franchise record with 15 straight wins.
Jake Bennett got the start, going 5.2 innings and allowing three runs on nine hits. He didn’t allow a walk and struck out four. Justin Slaten went 1.1 while Garrett Whitlock got the eighth. Slaten allowed a hit and struck out one. Whitlock shut the Orioles down 1-2-3. Aroldis Chapman had the ninth, and he picked up his 23rd save of the season.
Game 2:
The Orioles returned the favor in the nightcap, scoring four runs in the first inning. The Red Sox got a run back in the fourth with an RBI single from Masataka Yoshida but that was it.
Eduardo Rivera got the start, and he struggled. He lasted just 2/3 of an inning, allowing four runs on three hits. He walked two and struck out one. Brayan Bello relieved him, going 5.1 innings. He allowed four hits, walked one, and struck out five. Jovani Moran, Ryan Watson, and Alec Gamboa finished the game off. Moran allowed a run, walked one, and struck out one. Watson allowed a hit and Gamboa struck out one in the loss.
Standout Game Performer
Mastaka Yoshida had a hit in each game, going 1-3 in game one and 1-4 in game two. In game one, he scored a run, and in game two he drove in the lone run for the Red Sox.
Key News & Notes
Alec Gamboa was called up to be the 27th man for tonight’s game. Gamboa was called up the other day for their doubleheader against Tampa Bay. He pitched three scoreless innings, allowing two hits, no walks, and striking out one in that outing. Baltimore got another run in the seventh on a wild pitch. Tonight, in his one inning, he didn’t allow a baserunner and struck out one.
Ranger Suarez was still not 100%, which is why the Red Sox went with Eduardo Rivera to start tonight’s game.
The win streak came to an end in the nightcap. During that stretch, they averaged 5.9 runs per game while allowing 2.1 runs per game. They are now 20-3 in their last 23 games, averaging 5.2 runs per game while allowing 3.8 runs per game.
Farm Report
- Worcester Red Sox (AAA): Mickey Gasper went 4-6 with two RBI, a run scored, and two walks. He had the game-winning hit in the nightcap as Worcester swept their doubleheader with Jacksonville.
- Portland Sea Dogs (AA): Hayden Mullins went five scoreless innings, allowing a hit, a walk, and striking out eight in a 2-1 loss to Binghamton.
- Greenville Drive (A+): Justin Gonzales went 2-4 with a three-run home run, three RBI, and a walk in a 13-6 win over the Spartanburgers.
- Salem RidgeYaks (A): Kleyver Salazar went 3-4 with a three-run home run and four RBI in a 9-3 win over the GreenJackets.
- FCL Red Sox (ROK): FCL Red Sox game against FCL Pirates. They did face the FCL Twins and lost 8-5. Josue Brito went 2-4 with an RBI and a run scored in the loss.
- DSL Red Sox Red (ROK): DSL Red Sox Red were off yesterday and face DSL Tampa Bay today.
- DSL Red Sox Blue (ROK): DSL Red Sox Blue were off yesterday; they will face FSL Royals Fortuna today.
